Singapore: Bukit Batok East wakes up to giant water geyser

Water pipe leaks in Bukit Batok East Avenue 3 in Singapore on Sunday, October 1, leading to the formation of a water jet that shot up to the height of a four-storey building.

A boy cycles through a puddle as a burst main shoots a plume of water into the air in the Huyton area of Liverpool, northern England, July 18, 2011. The burst main led to localized flooding and evacuations of residents. REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags:
Picture for representation Reuters

Singapore's Bukit Batok East Avenue 3, woke up to a water geyser, shooting up several meters high due to a water pipe burst on Sunday morning, October 1. The incident occurred near Block 223.

Singapore's Public Utilities Board (PUB), in a statement to Channel NewsAsia, said it "received reports of a leak on a watermain on turf area near Blocks 22 and 223 Bukit Batok East Ave 3."

"The leak was also detected by our sensors. PUB immediately deployed our officers and repair contractors to the site" the national water agency further added.

This incident takes place just days after water shot up as high as a three-storey building at Bukit Batok West's traffic junction, once again after a water pipe cracked up. The pipe was apparently affected due to a constant collision between motor vehicles and the surface pipe. The water jet rose to a height of 8 meters and gradually slowed down almost after three hours.

In the light of recent events, residents are now questioning PUB's authority. However, PUB confirms that this incident is "not related" to the pipe burst in Bukit Batok West which has now been repaired.

PUB further added that the leakage at Bukit Batok East Avenue 3 was left "isolated" at 9 am. Authorities have commenced with repair works which are expected to be completed shortly.

"There is no road closure and traffic remains smooth. Water supply to customers is not affected. PUB is investigating the cause of the leak," PUB stated.

Residents of Bukit Batok East reveal that the water jet sprang up the air around 6 am, covering the height of a four-storey building. Shaneni Raja, a resident in the area explained how vehicles at the car park immediately moved away from the "six-storey" water jet, and that it shot up high at 6:45 am.

Denizens of the area were asked to remove their cars, parked in front of the block. Police and officials rushed to the scene without any delay. The Singapore Civil Defence Force has been contacted for further information.

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