SINGAPORE: Fallen trees, muddy oceans and the smell of decaying foliage greet visitors to a portion associated with Bukit Timah Mountain Bike Trail that has been waterlogged for months.
While authorities have got closed off the flooded zone, mountain bikers are avoiding the wider area because of the risk of falling trees.
Observers are involved that the perpetually-flooded stretch out of mountain bicycling trail could pose a safety risk.
The National Parks Board (NParks) said it is closely checking the situation in the area, which floods naturally throughout heavy downpours. This added that waters usually subside inside five days, based on weather conditions.
When CNA visited the entrance of the route upon Sunday (Jan 29), the water came up to ankle level.
Cyclists who regular the trail said that the higher level of water continues for 500m, and even goes up to at least one. 5m in some parts. Fallen trees plus debris also obstruct the route, they added.
CIRCUMSTANCE WORSE THAN OTHER YEARS
Could has happened throughout past monsoon periods, this year’s ton situation is the worst they have experienced, the cyclists added.
The flooded area is on the down hill side of the well-known Bukit Timah Mountain Bike Trail, which sits next to the bigger nature reserve.
A much-vaunted portion, also called the Stairway in order to Heaven, is marked out for maintenance and it has been closed for approximately four months. The 10m-high climb, right by the flooded zone, ends in a thrilling ride downhill.
There are also symptoms that warn hill bikers of the risk and inform them of the alternative routes they could take.
Mountain bikers believe the draining system there has become clogged.
“Due to the heavy usage, this forms a rut, ” said Singapore Cycling Federation vice-president (Mountain Bike) Muhammad Faroz Marzoki. “People have been riding the same area over and over again, so it kind of erodes aside the topsoil.
“So the topsoil has to go someplace, so it’s like somewhat on the higher ground. With all the rain and the organic flow of water, (this) has also considerably contributed to water damage. ”