A view of the traffic conditions at the Woodlands Checkpoint on Friday morning (March 21). - Photo: The Straits Times/ANN
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): Travellers from Singapore are advised to postpone any non-essential trips to Johor as continuous heavy traffic is expected at the Woodlands and Tuas checkpoints this weekend, said the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Heavy traffic at the two land checkpoints since the start of the March school holidays – which began on March 14 and will last until March 24 – has been worsened by the monsoon surge, according to ICA in a Facebook post on March 21.
Heavy rain has battered Singapore and Johor since March 19, causing flood risk alerts to be issued for several areas for two consecutive days. The Meteorological Service Singapore forecast that the downpour will last until March 21.
The authority said those who travelled to Johor by car and motorcycle had to wait more than two hours to clear immigration.
“ICA expects continuous heavy traffic this weekend and advises travellers to defer non-essential travel, if possible,” it said.
In an update on March 21 at 9.22am, ICA said there was heavy traffic at Woodlands Checkpoint for those headed to Johor, due to tailback from Malaysia.
It also advised motorists to refrain from queue-cutting, especially amid reduced visibility caused by the rain and the cases of road accidents over the last two days.
“Those who wish to continue with their journey should expect delays and are advised to check the traffic conditions before embarking on their journey,” said ICA. - The Straits Times/ANN
