Improving Awareness and Take-up of Lightning Alert Systems in View of Recent Fatal Lightning Strike Involving Paddleboarder
Ministry of Sustainability and the EnvironmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns measures to improve lightning alert systems and public safety following a fatal lightning strike involving a paddleboarder. Mr Saktiandi Supaat and Mr Sharael Taha enquired about assessing the effectiveness of the myENV app, enhancing public awareness, and mitigating lightning risks at outdoor and beach areas. Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu Hai Yien explained that the National Environment Agency (NEA) operates a comprehensive detection system providing real-time alerts via the myENV app within a six-kilometre radius of chosen locations. She highlighted that NEA continues to partner with agencies like Sports Singapore and Ministry of Education schools to support safe outdoor activities and facility operations. Minister Grace Fu Hai Yien added that NEA is revamping the myENV app to make weather advisories and lightning alerts more user-centric, personalised, and accessible.
Transcript
32 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) whether the Government has assessed the effectiveness and public take-up of Singapore's existing lightning alert system, including the myENV app; and (b) whether further measures are needed to improve public awareness, timely warnings and safety for those participating in outdoor and water-based recreational activities.
33 Mr Sharael Taha asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment in light of the recent fatal lightning strike involving a paddleboarder off Pasir Ris Beach, whether the Ministry will review, with relevant agencies, measures to mitigate lightning risks at beaches and outdoor recreational areas, including (i) public warning systems, (ii) real-time lightning alerts and (iii) public education efforts.
Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Singapore, located near the Equator, is amongst one of the world's most lightning-prone countries. The National Environment Agency's (NEA's) Changi Climate Station observes lightning on average, about 176 days a year, or one in every two days. NEA operates a comprehensive lightning detection system, which detects cloud-to-ground lightning as well as lightning occurring within thunderstorm clouds. Data from the detection system is used to provide real-time lightning alerts to the public through the myENV app. Users subscribing to lightning alerts for a specific location will receive an alert if there is detection of cloud-to-ground lightning or forecasts of thundery showers occurring in the next two hours issued within a six-kilometres radius of that location. This includes situations when the thunderstorm may not be directly overhead.
NEA will continue to work with agencies, such as Sports Singapore and the Ministry of Education schools, to support the safe conduct of outdoor activities and the operation of their facilities. It will also continue to improve public awareness of mitigating lightning risks through myENV. In addition, NEA is revamping the myENV app to make it more user-centric, personalised and accessible to weather advisories, including lightning alerts.