Heavy rain and whipping winds across Singapore from January 10 and through today, brought on by a monsoon surge, had disrupted flights and caused floods in many areas.

National papers, The Straits Times, reported that 18 flights were diverted from Changi Airport and Seletar Airport to neighbouring airfields during this period while more than 50 Singapore Airlines flights on January 10 and 11 were delayed or retimed.

Social media was heavy with posts showing floods in various areas, including the Bukit Timah fringes of Singapore Botanic Gardens, while cancellations plagued outdoor events over the weekend. Bookings for sports activities and lessons, such as skateboarding and stand-up paddling, were dropped at East Coast Park.

The ongoing Chinatown Street Bazaar, which leads up to the Lunar New Year on January 29, saw scant crowds. A news report on CNA said merchants saw sales plunged by 80 per cent over the wet weekend.

National water agency Public Utilities Board noted that the total rainfall on January 10 and 11 was 255.2mm – exceeding the average monthly rainfall in January.

However, the monsoon did not succeed in raining on all parades. Despite the wet weather, Indie Singapore Tours was able to deliver on several tours and a night cycling event it was involved in with statutory board, the People’s Association. The Glow Pedal Night Cycling Expedition took place on January 11, from 17.30 to 21.00, flagging off from Passion Wave at Marina Bay and back. More than 100 participants turned up for it, riding past various landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Helix Bridge, and Marina Barrage.

According to Thiam Wei Toh, founder and chief storyteller of Indie Singapore Tours, his team conducted 10 free tours, public events, corporate bookings and private tours across the weekend.

Toh told TTG Asia: “Life goes on rain or shine. We have wet weather plans, alternative routes, and our ways to maximise what we can show on each tour.”

While wet weather is common in tropical Singapore, Toh said “every rainy day is different for us” and his team takes safety precautions seriously.

He added that tour guides with a positive attitude are especially crucial during rainy day tours, as they have to keep spirits high and safeguard guests.

“I am super lucky to have a team of guides who are like rays of sunshine,” he remarked.

“Guests are also a big component of the tour. We had gung-ho guests who willingly plowed with us through the deluge on Friday (when the monsoon rain started), but there were also some who preferred to stay under shelter,” he added.

However, cancellations and refunds in wet weather remain a concern among tour operators, especially in cases where the activity can still be conducted safely but guests are not comfortable getting wet.

“Resources have been set aside for the tours, which can continue even on rainy days. While our standard policy does not include refunds for last-minute cancellations, we understand that unforeseen circumstances can happen. Therefore, we do process refunds on a case by case basis,” Toh explained.