PUB deploys water wagons and distributes water bags to affected residents
The massive sinkhole that opened up at Tanjong Katong Road South on the evening of 26 July led to a temporary disruption of water supply in the surrounding area. Singapore’s national water agency, PUB, confirmed that two water mains were damaged during the incident, prompting an immediate emergency response.
The sinkhole appeared at the junction of Tanjong Katong Road and Mountbatten Road at approximately 5:00pm, adjacent to an active PUB worksite. It caused part of the road to collapse, leading to the dramatic fall of a black vehicle into the crater. Thankfully, the driver was rescued by site workers within minutes and later taken to Raffles Hospital for medical attention.
In the aftermath, PUB swiftly isolated the damaged water mains to minimise impact and begin repair works. In a Facebook update posted at 11:45am on 27 July, PUB revealed that water supply to 18 households had been affected for approximately 4.5 hours. Service was fully restored by 2:30am on the same day.
Residents Queue for Emergency Water Supply
As part of the utility agency’s contingency measures, water wagons were deployed to the area, and residents were provided with emergency water bags to tide them through the disruption. Photos shared on PUB’s social media showed several residents queuing to collect their water bags, with staff on-site to assist.
While the situation was brought under control swiftly, the incident has raised concerns about infrastructure stability and the risks posed by construction works near critical water lines. The damaged pipes were reportedly located next to ongoing underground works, though it remains unclear if those activities contributed directly to the collapse.
PUB thanked residents for their patience and praised the quick-thinking workers who not only rescued the driver, but also provided timely updates to the authorities. They added that they are currently in touch with the affected driver and are offering support where needed.
Road Repairs Ongoing, Bus Services Rerouted
Following the incident, the affected stretch of Tanjong Katong Road South — between Mountbatten Road and East Coast Parkway — has been closed to traffic. Repair efforts are ongoing, and full road reinstatement is expected to take time, depending on ground stability and underground infrastructure assessments.
As a result, SBS Transit has rerouted bus services 36 and 48 to avoid several stops along the affected stretch, including those along Marine Parade Road, Amber Road and Mountbatten Road. Commuters are advised to check for the latest updates via the MyTransport app or the SBS website.
Authorities have reassured the public that buildings in the vicinity remain structurally sound, following checks by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). The area around the sinkhole has also been stabilised, and round-the-clock monitoring is in place to ensure public safety.
Sinkhole Recovery Prompts Discussion on Urban Resilience
This latest sinkhole incident has prompted discussion online around urban resilience, infrastructure ageing, and utility safety in Singapore’s dense urban environment. While incidents of this scale are rare, some experts have called for more robust monitoring of underground works near essential services such as water, gas and fibre optic lines.
PUB has said investigations are ongoing to determine the root cause of the sinkhole and damage to the water pipes. Findings will be shared with the public in due course. In the meantime, they are working closely with relevant agencies to repair and restore full service to the affected zone.
For now, residents in the Tanjong Katong and Mountbatten areas can expect some traffic disruption and construction noise, but no further water supply issues are expected. As Singapore continues to expand and renew its underground networks, resilient design and quick emergency response remain key to managing such unexpected incidents.