Singapore celebrated a wet 59th birthday yesterday (9 Aug) as heavy rain peppered the island in the afternoon.
The Straits Times (ST) reported that National Day Parade (NDP) spectators at The Promontory @ Marina Bay and the Padang were caught in a downpour at around 4.45pm.
The rain stopped in time for most of the celebrations to kick off without a hitch.
Meanwhile, some Singaporeans celebrating at home were treated to an additional spectacle in the evening — a rainbow that had formed over the island after the rain.
Several Facebook users have shared images of the natural phenomenon.
On the CloudSpotting & SkySpotting Singapore Facebook group, one Tampines resident said that he spotted the rainbow at around 5.20pm.
Source: Andrew Teo on Facebook
Later in the evening, the five F-16 fighter jets made their appearance to the residents of Singapore’s east.
Meanwhile, a quick-thinking Singaporean managed to capture an image of the rainbow and the flag flypast.
Source: Andy Peng on Facebook
One lucky Singapore resident even spotted a faint National Day double rainbow from her vantage point.
Source: Sangeeta Deshpande on Facebook
Although faint, the rainbow was also seen in the skies of Hougang near Upper Serangoon Road.
Source: Rell Cai Hanchuan on Facebook
At the heart of the National Day celebrations in Singapore’s Marina Bay area, about 27,000 NDP spectators braved the rain.
The Red Lions continued business as usual, with all the members of the Singapore Armed Forces Parachute Team landing safely at the Padang, despite the wet floor.
Several highlights of the parade include a tribute to Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and a Dynamic Defence Display celebrating 40 years of Total Defence.
The surprise rainbow was not Singapore’s only birthday present.
In Marseille, France, 17-year-old Olympian Max Maeder clinched a bronze medal for Singapore in kite foiling.
Also read: ‘Paddle Pop’ clouds charm audiences during Red Lions display at NDP Preview on 3 Aug
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Featured image adapted from Sng Joo Lian on Facebook and Andy Peng on Facebook.
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