Commuters drenched at Yishun MRT platform complain – “Build Shelter that Cannot Shelter for What?”

Peak-hour commuters waiting to board trains at Yishun MRT platform were drenched on Tuesday evening as strong winds blew heavy rains onto commuters, drenching them.

While there is a shelter that is supposed to keep the rain away from commuters at the station platform, the shelter only extends up to the doors of the trains, if there is a train waiting at the platform. If there is no train at the platform, commuters at the platform do not have adequate shield from such heavy rain that was blowing towards them.

The weather was so bad around 5pm on Tuesday that even when trains were at the platform, the small gap between the roof of the trains and the shelter allowed heavy winds to blow rain directly onto commuters attempting to board. Rain also drenched commuters after it was deflected off the top of trains that stopped at the platform.

Many commuters understandably did not expect to get drenched. Some tried using umbrellas to shield themselves but even that proved ineffective and they, too, ended up soaked.

Commuters shared their frustrations with the Chinese daily. One commuter, Ng Hao Yi said, “Like that, build shelter that cannot shelter for what?” while another commuter, Sharon Sim, suggested: “It’s an old station. Maybe the LTA should relook the design of the station and make improvements where necessary.”

Heavy rains also pelted several other parts of the island on Tuesday. Flash floods struck the Seletar region while residents at Yishun, Ang Mo Kio, Seletar and Sengkang reported being hit by rare hailstones.

More unusual weather hit the East yesterday as East Coast Park visitors were seen and heard screaming and ducking for cover as heavy winds in the area this evening caused boats at the National Sailing Centre and trash cans around the park flying towards them.

https://theindependent.sg.sg/east-coast-park-visitors-scream-and-duck-for-cover-as-heavy-winds-send-boats-and-trash-cans-flying/