As for cooling spaces, the People’s Association’s community centres and clubs, as well as selected Residents’ Network centres, especially those located near one- to two-room Housing Board blocks, will have an air-conditioned room for the public to get respite from the heat.
Up to eight air-conditioned indoor sport halls may be repurposed as heat relief centres for vulnerable groups in the community, said the task force.
“The plan is for these locations to be situated across or spread around Singapore so there is easy access to these facilities,” it added.
A heatwave in Singapore occurs when the highest daily temperature is at least 35 degree Celsius for three consecutive days, and the average temperature every day is at least 29 degree Celsius.
Singapore has experienced six historical heatwave events, with the most recent one in 2016.
If the national meteorological agency forecasts a heatwave, a joint media advisory will be issued. This advisory will remain in place until the Meteorological Service Singapore forecasts that the period of high temperatures will not be sustained.
On top of the media advisory, other advisories on implementing home-based heat management practices to set up cool spaces at home and minimising risk of heat-related injuries will also be sent out. Information on community cooling spaces will be provided to the public.
The task force said during a briefing on Wednesday that it may not be able to forecast a heatwave “too far in advance” as the weather in tropical climates can develop very rapidly.
For example, if there is heavy rainfall, this may moderate the temperature. “Depending on the actual situation, if we assess that the heatwave criteria is likely to be crossed, we will endeavour to put out the advisory a day before,” said the task force.