Update on Efforts of Mercury Task Force to Tackle Heatwaves
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the Mercury Task Force’s efforts to address heatwaves and whether the criteria for declaring a heatwave require review, as raised by Mr Liang Eng Hwa. Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that a multi-agency response plan includes opening cooling centres, enhancing public communications, and providing targeted support for segments of the population facing greater heat stress risks. Task force agencies refresh these plans annually before the March-to-May hot season to ensure stakeholders are familiar with heat stress management protocols and heatwave response measures. A heatwave is officially declared when the daily maximum temperature averages at least 35°C for three consecutive days, with an average daily mean temperature of at least 29°C throughout the period. Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien affirmed that these specific criteria remain relevant for Singapore’s current climate and existing heat management initiatives.
Transcript
56 Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Ministry can provide an update on the efforts of the Mercury Task Force to tackle heatwave situation in Singapore; and (b) whether there is a need to review the criteria in which heatwave is to be declared.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The Government has put in place a multi-agency heatwave response plan which is coordinated by the Mercury Task Force. This plan will be activated when the Meteorological Service Singapore forecasts a heatwave. The plan includes the opening of cooling centres islandwide where members of the public can seek respite from the heat, stepped up public communications on recommended actions to minimise heat-related injuries and targeted support for various segments of the population especially those who face greater heat stress risk. These build on ongoing initiatives to manage heat stress for members of the public and specific population segments like outdoor workers.
Ahead of every hot season from March to May each year, Mercury Task Force agencies refresh their plans and ensure that stakeholders in their respective sectors are familiar with heat stress management protocols and heatwave response measures.
In Singapore, a heatwave is declared when the daily maximum temperature averaged across all weather stations is at least 35oC for three consecutive days, and the average daily mean temperature throughout the period is at least 29oC. This definition remains relevant in our current climate.