Singapore Prepares for Detonation of Massive World War II Aerial Bomb
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team has deemed the war relic unsafe for moving, so the detonation will happen on site. For safety reasons, residents living in the area will have to evacuate their homes while the disposal is taking place. Roads in the vicinity will also be closed. If you think you might be affected, then here's all you need to know about the bomb disposal happening on Tuesday.
Discovery of the Bomb
The bomb was discovered at 11.57am last Wednesday. It was unearthed during excavation works at the Myst condominium construction site in Upper Bukit Timah Road.
Detonation Schedule
The SAF EOD team conducted the detonation from 8am to 7pm on September 26.
Evacuation Details
Residents living near the site will have to leave their homes before 8am on September 26, and will only be allowed to return after 7pm. This applies to residents of The Linear, Hazel Park Condominium, Bukit 828, Hazel Park Terrace, Blk 154 Gangsa Road, and shophouses 778 to 822 Upper Bukit Timah Road. According to a Facebook post by Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Vivian Balakrishnan, a temporary holding area for affected residents will be set up at Senja-Cashew Community Club on the day.
Greenridge Secondary School will also shift to home-based learning for the day.
Road Closures
Take note, the Bukit Panjang Flyover between Woodlands Road and Petir Road, and Upper Bukit Timah Road between Petir Road and Cashew Road will be closed to traffic from 11am to 7pm on Tuesday. Traffic police officers will be stationed along the affected routes to assist and redirect motorists if needed.
No parking along these roads either – any found parking or causing obstruction may be towed by the police.
The discovery of this massive World War II aerial bomb serves as a reminder of Singapore's history and the sacrifices made during that time. While the detonation may cause inconvenience for residents and commuters in the affected areas, it is a necessary step to ensure the safety of the community. The expertise of the Singapore Armed Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal team will play a crucial role in handling this potentially dangerous relic from the past, allowing the city to continue thriving safely.
