Dry weather expected to last for 2 more weeks at least

Feng Zengkun The Straits Times AsiaOne 2 Mar 15;

SINGAPORE - If you have been feeling hot and bothered by the weather, brace yourself for the dry streak to last for another two weeks at least.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) said in its latest forecast that the first half of this month is expected to have less rainfall than usual. This follows significantly low levels of rain in the previous two months.

The current dry weather is partly due to the early onset of the north-east monsoon's dry phase, which is characterised by drier weather and occasional wind.

While the dry phase typically starts in February, it began in mid-January this year, partly due to stronger winds in the region that caused the monsoon rain belt to shift away from Singapore.

The dry weather has resulted in parched grass patches by the roadside and receding water levels in lakes.

At the Botanic Gardens, the water level in the Eco Lake has fallen noticeably.

Many people, like Mr Bryan Lim, 23, are missing the rain.

"I long for the days when I'm not sweating even before I step out of the house," said Mr Lim, a part-time employee of an ice cream cafe.

But the heat has not deterred diners from eating outdoors. Six eateries contacted said their alfresco dining had not suffered.

In fact, at House @ Dempsey, manager Julian Siew said the dry weather had led to more diners choosing to sit outdoors.

"Because it doesn't rain, we can get about 40 more customers over the weekend who are willing to sit outside," said Mr Siew, 28.

Relief from the heat could come in the form of localised showers on four to six days in the next two weeks, said the NEA.

For this week, the agency is predicting short, thundery showers in the afternoon on two to three days. Still, the total rainfall for this month will be below the long-term average of 185mm if the trend of drier-than-usual weather persists.

But the situation is not as dire as in February last year, when just 0.2mm of rain was recorded at the Changi climate station, which is used as a reference station.

The NEA also said that the months of March to May have the highest average daily maximum temperatures of between 31.6 deg C and 31.8 deg C.

The dry weather has been much welcomed by ground surveyor Amir Nordin, 52, and his household of five because their laundry takes less time to dry.

"Usually, I hang the clothes at about 7am and take them in around 6pm, but for these few weeks, I've been able to take them in three hours earlier than usual because it's been hotter than normal," he said.

Additional reporting by Olivia Ho

Watch water usage, says PUB, as dry period lingers
Feng Zengkun The Straits Times AsiaOne 3 Mar 15;

National water agency PUB has urged Singaporeans to conserve water even as it keeps the country's water supply healthy during the ongoing dry weather.

It told The Straits Times yesterday that it sent out circulars to 27,000 non-domestic water users - including town councils and schools - last month to encourage them to save water.

"PUB also urges people to do their part, for example, by taking one to two minutes less in the shower and running washing machines only on full load instead of half load," a spokesman said.

Households, organisations and businesses should also cut down on non-essential uses of water such as the washing of cars and common areas, she added.

All parts of Singapore had below average rainfall last month, ranging from 10mm to 150mm. The lowest recorded was 95 per cent below average.
Rainfall over the next two weeks is also expected to be below average, although showers are expected on a few days.

The transition to the inter-monsoon period at the end of the month is expected to bring more rain.

Still, the dry period is not as severe as that of a year ago, when there were two 27-day dry spells from Jan 13 to Feb 8, and Feb 17 to March 15.

As grassy patches turn brown and bodies of water recede, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan said on Facebook yesterday: "Our water levels are falling. Actually, the reservoir levels would be even lower if not for the additional desalination and Newater production by PUB."

The agency said it has been injecting about 25 million to 30 million gallons of Newater per day into the reservoirs here for the past two weeks, so their water levels have remained healthy.

"We monitor the water levels in the reservoirs continuously using online water level sensors, and reservoir staff also take daily readings from level gauges," it added.

The National Parks Board (NParks), for its part, has been planting more drought-tolerant plants. To conserve water, it has not had routine watering of roadside plants for several years.

It added that "in the event of a prolonged dry spell or national water crisis, only young saplings and significant trees like heritage trees are watered selectively".

An NParks spokesman also pointed to a silver lining: "Some trees have started to flower due to the recent dry weather, including the Rosy Trumpet Tree, Yellow Flame Tree and Golden Shower Tree."