Heatwave response plan: A signal that Singapore should start taking heat seriously

Residents should start building heat resilience, watch out for the vulnerable

- Shabana Begum

The Republic's recently unveiled heatwave plan sends a strong signal that extreme heat is something we all need to prepare for.

Under the plan revealed on March 19, cooling centres will be opened islandwide just before a heatwave kicks in to provide a respite from the heat.

The plan also sets out a national approach to how various sectors should respond during a heatwave, from eldercare centres suspending outdoor activities in the afternoon to schools possibly shifting to home-based learning if the need arises.

The new national response plan is a good first step to ensuring people take the threat seriously.

But we should not wait until the national heatwave plan kicks in to start building resilience to heat.

People can start preparing for higher temperatures by, for example, using exercise as a tool to raise tolerance for warmer weather.

We should also look out for the more vulnerable in society, especially during the hotter months from March to mid-year, for a start. For example, neighbourhood representatives could be equipped with skills to identify people with heat exhaustion.

Heatwaves are declared in Singapore when the highest daily temperature over three consecutive days is at least 35 deg C, with the mean temperature each day being at least 29 deg C.

Such events have been relatively rare in Singapore, with just six recorded heatwaves so far. The last episode occurred in 2016.

However, this does not mean the country is out of the woods when there is no heatwave. Each day, people are exposed to high humidity where sweat does not evaporate as quickly, adding to discomfort.

The mercury exceeds 34 deg C on many days, especially during the March-to-May hot season.

During this period, the risk of heat injuries, exhaustion and accidents among those doing strenuous work is high.

Singapore is located in the tropics, and many people living here have grown accustomed to the heat and humidity.