You are sitting on the sofa on the 30th floor when the curtains start to sway, the water in a glass ripples and you feel slightly seasick. A few minutes later the neighbourhood chat group lights up. Tremors in Singapore are uncommon but real, and they almost always come from a large earthquake hundreds of kilometres away. This guide explains why it happens, what to do while it is happening and how to report concerns about your building afterwards.
Why Singapore Feels Earthquakes It Does Not Have
Singapore does not sit on an active fault line, so it does not get its own strong earthquakes. It is, however, within reach of two of the most active seismic zones in the region: the Sunda subduction zone off the west coast of Sumatra and the Great Sumatran Fault that runs down the length of the island.
When a big quake strikes there, the energy travels outwards as seismic waves. Short, sharp waves fade quickly over distance, but long, slow waves (called long-period waves) can travel very far with less loss of energy. Tall buildings have their own natural sway period, and slender towers in particular can “tune in” to these slow waves, a bit like a swing that moves further when it is pushed at just the right rhythm.
That is why the experience is so uneven:
- People on high floors often notice swaying, creaking or a dizzy feeling, while people at ground level feel nothing.
- Hanging items such as lamps, curtains and wind chimes swing gently.
- Water in aquariums, pools or glasses sloshes.
The swaying you feel is usually the building doing what it was designed to do. Tall structures are meant to flex rather than snap, and Singapore’s building regulations, set and enforced by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), take account of the effects of distant earthquakes. For details on the current standards, BCA’s website is the source to check.
What to Do While the Tremor Is Happening
Tremors felt in Singapore are typically mild and over in a minute or two. The aim is to stay calm and avoid injuring yourself, not to rush outside.
- Stay where you are and keep away from glass. Move away from windows, glass doors, tall shelves and hanging fixtures.
- Drop, cover and hold on if things start to fall. Get under a sturdy table or against an inside wall and protect your head and neck.
- Do not use the lift. If you need to leave later, use the stairs. If you are already in a lift, press the buttons for the nearest floor and get out when it stops.
- Do not run down the stairs in a crowd. Stairwells during a sudden rush are more dangerous than the gentle sway itself.
- Secure the kitchen. If you are cooking, switch off the stove so nothing tips over.
- Check on others at home. Children, elderly relatives and pets may be frightened. Reassure them calmly.
Do and Don’t at a Glance
| Situation | Do | Don’t |
|---|---|---|
| Building sways gently | Stay put, move away from windows and tall furniture | Rush to the lift lobby or out of the flat in a panic |
| Items start to fall | Drop, cover and hold on under a sturdy table | Stand in a doorway near glass panels |
| Shaking stops | Look for new cracks, leaks or gas smells | Assume everything is fine without a quick check |
| You see serious damage | Leave by the stairs and call 995 if anyone is hurt or in danger | Go back in to collect belongings |
| You want information | Check official channels from MSS and BCA | Forward unverified rumours in chat groups |
After the Tremor: Check Your Home
Once things settle, take five minutes to look around and photograph anything that worries you.
- New cracks. Fine hairline cracks in plaster or paint are common in any flat and often existed before. Pay attention to cracks that are new, widening, running diagonally across walls, or appearing in beams and columns.
- Fallen items or debris. Check that wall-mounted TVs, shelves, mirrors and window grilles are still secure.
- Windows. Check that window panels open and close properly and that nothing looks loose. Loose window parts on a high floor can be a falling hazard for people below.
- Gas and water. If you smell gas, do not switch on lights or appliances. Open windows, leave the flat and call your gas provider’s emergency line. Look under sinks for new leaks.
- Common areas. Look out for damage along corridors, staircases and the void deck, and note the location.
How to Report Tremors and Building Concerns
Who you contact depends on what you saw.
- Emergencies. If someone is injured, trapped, or there is fire, a gas leak or a structure that looks unsafe, call SCDF on 995 straight away.
- Structural concerns. BCA is the agency responsible for building safety and monitors buildings after tremors. If you notice cracks or damage you think may be structural, report it through BCA’s official feedback channels, giving the address, block number, floor and photos. Check BCA’s website for the current way to submit feedback.
- HDB flats and common areas. For HDB blocks, your Town Council handles common property such as corridors and lifts. For damage inside the flat, HDB’s branch or e-services are a sensible starting point.
- Condominiums. Report common-area issues to the managing agent, who acts for the MCST (Management Corporation Strata Title, the body that runs a condo’s shared property). They can arrange an inspection and liaise with BCA.
- Earthquake information. The Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS) publishes information on significant regional earthquakes and whether Singapore was affected. It is the place to confirm what actually happened.
Reporting helps even when you are not sure, because clusters of reports show where tremors were felt.
Preparing Your Flat Before the Next One
A few small habits make a difference in any minor emergency.
- Anchor tall furniture. Bookcases, wardrobes and display cabinets can be fixed to the wall with anti-tip straps. This also protects young children who like to climb.
- Keep heavy items low. Store heavy pots, appliances and glass items on lower shelves.
- Check window grilles and fittings. Window safety is already a concern in high-rise living, so make sure fixtures are in good condition. If you have pets, the same checks help, as covered in our guide to window and high-rise safety for cats.
- Keep balconies clear. Loose pots and items on ledges can fall during any strong movement, a point that overlaps with good habits in our guide to keeping a balcony clean in high-rises.
- Know your exits. Make sure everyone at home knows where the staircase is and agrees on a meeting point downstairs.
Common Worries From Residents
Is my building going to collapse? Gentle swaying from distant quakes is not a sign that a well-maintained building is failing. If you see serious structural damage, leave and report it, but feeling movement on its own is not cause for panic.
Why did my friend on the 5th floor feel nothing? Lower floors move far less, and different buildings respond to the same waves in different ways.
Could there be a tsunami? Singapore is sheltered by the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, and official assessments have described the tsunami risk as low. MSS issues official alerts if needed, so rely on those rather than rumours.
Keep Calm and Check the Facts
Feeling a high-rise sway is unsettling, but in Singapore it is usually a brief echo of an earthquake far away. Stay away from glass, skip the lift, check your flat afterwards and report genuine concerns to BCA or the right building manager. Then check MSS for the facts before sharing anything in your estate chat.
Explore more: Reporting High-Rise Littering in Your HDB Estate