TGIF! Making your plans for the weekend? Don’t forget to bring your brolly along.

A developing northeast monsoon surge in the region is bringing periods of showers to Singapore today. As the monsoon surge strengthens, widespread rain, heavy at times, is forecast later tonight. The rain is expected to be persistent and last over this weekend. This will bring cool and windy conditions, with daily minimum temperatures dipping to 21-22°C in some places. This is the 2nd monsoon surge to affect the island this month, after 2 days of continuous rain from a monsoon surge last week. #SGWeather

#SGDengueUpdate NEA’s Gravitrap surveillance system has shown an increase of about 8% in the Aedes aegypti mosquito population in Dec.

Have you been keeping your home free from stagnant water? A 20-cent sized drop of water is all mosquitoes need to breed. Do the #MozzieWipeout at least once a week, to protect yourself and your family. More at go.gov.sg/mozzieproof

These cool new vehicles are paving the way for more innovative and efficient #EnvironmentalServices industry! NEA is trialling two Autonomous Environmental Service Vehicles (AESVs) for road cleaning, in designated testbed environments. Find out more at https://go.gov.sg/nea-aesvs-jan2021

#DidYouKnow then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew laid the foundation stone for Geylang Serai Market back in 1963? It was rebuilt in 2009 with its architecture inspired by the Malay community’s cultural heritage.
 
As part of the efforts to safeguard our #OurHawkerCulture, we want to hear from you about what you hope to see in #OurHawkerCentres of the future. Tell us your views and ideas at https://go.gov.sg/sghf-form by 31 Jan 2021, and stand a chance to win a limited edition #OurHawkerCulture CEPAS card. Terms & conditions apply: https://go.gov.sg/sthctc

#SGDengueUpdate Fewer dengue cases were reported in the week ending 16 Jan. The number of active dengue clusters has also decreased, from 52 clusters to 34 clusters, as of 18 Jan.
 
Let’s stay vigilant and continue doing the #MozzieWipeout once a week to remove stagnant water. Learn more about how you can protect yourself and your family at go.gov.sg/mozzieproof

2020 saw a remarkably wet and cool June, a cool September day and high occurrence of  October Sumatra squalls. June 2020 had 21 rain days – the highest number of June rain days in the last 30 years – and was the second coolest June in the last 20 years.  

Here’s a brief snapshot of the notable weather events and weather extremes in 2020. Details at https://www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/singapore's-climate-2020-a-year-of-contrasts-in-weather

Have you been returning your trays and binning used tissues?

A large majority of people surveyed agreed that litter left behind poses a public health risk. However, whilst 90% felt that diners should clear their tables after eating at public dining places, the average tray return rate at most hawker centres is only around 30%. View key findings of the survey at https://www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/vast-majority-surveyed-feel-that-patrons-should-be-required-to-clear-their-tables-after-eating-at-public-dining-places

We can do more to keep #OurHawkerCentres clean and safe for everyone! #ReturnOurTrays #BinOurTissues

#SGDengueUpdate The number of weekly dengue cases has come down slightly to 156 cases as of 23 Jan. However, the Aedes aegypti mosquito is still high in parts of Singapore. Coupled with a sizeable proportion of people still working from home, the risk of dengue remains high in 2021.

The strong support from our stakeholders and the public helped to bring down the weekly number of dengue cases from its peak of 1,792 in Jul 2020. Let’s stay vigilant in this fight against dengue! Here’s how: www.nea.gov.sg/stop-dengue

Preparing food for your Lunar New Year reunion meals? The best way to reduce food waste is to make a list before doing your grocery shopping and more importantly, keeping to it! #LoveYourFoodSG

Are your food items arranged properly? The ones that are near-expiry should be kept at the front of the shelf so that you remember to consume them first. Here’s to less food waste this Lunar New Year 😃 #LoveYourFoodSG

May you have good health and an OX-spicious new year!
 
P.S. Use serving spoons and don’t double dip when having your reunion meals, let’s keep everyone safe and healthy! #SGUnited

Serving your guests special cookies and drinks this festive period? Don’t forget those cookie and drink containers can be recycled. For drink containers, get rewarded when you bring them to the nearest ‘Recycle N Save’ Reverse Vending Machine! ☺
 
You may also choose the ‘no reward’ option – just like 1 in 5 people who recycle with us! Saving our environment for our future generations is the greatest reward. More information at https://recyclensave.sg
 
#RecycleRight #SustainableSG

Freeze your CNY leftovers in containers! This way, your food can last much longer and can be reheated for your next meal.
 
P.S. Don’t forget to label and include the date of storage so you know when you need to consume it by! #LoveYourFoodSG

Eating out this weekend? Don’t forsake your tray and leave it stranded! #CleanYourTable #SGClean #ReturnOurTrays #OurHawkerCentres

Slightly hazy conditions with burning smell were observed in parts of SG this morning (2 Mar). A hotspot with smoke plume was detected in Johor in the late afternoon yesterday. The smoke plume was blown by the prevailing northeasterly winds towards SG before it dissipated in the evening. The prevailing winds over SG are expected to continue blowing from north to northeast for the next few days. Slightly hazy conditions with burning smell may still be expected over parts of SG today.

The 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings entered Band 2 (Elevated) between 6 and 7am in the East of SG this morning before returning to Band 1 (Normal) since 8am. As at 11am, the 24-hr PSI was 61-74, in the Moderate range.

When deciding whether or not to go ahead with outdoor activities, use the above personal guide and refer to the 1-hr PM2.5 concentration readings available on www.haze.gov.sg, www.nea.gov.sg and myENV app. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates when necessary. #SGHaze

Summing up NEA’s #SGBudget2021: As part of our efforts to increase the overall recycling rate to 70%, we have introduced the mandatory food waste reporting framework, and initiatives to close the packaging and plastic waste loop. There were also updates on the environmental sanitation regime and support for Environmental Services industry. More at www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/committee-of-supply-2021

When paying respects this Qing Ming, let’s continue to be socially responsible and observe #SafeDistancing measures. As crowds are expected at Choa Chu Kang Cemetery and government-managed columbaria, visitors are advised to send 2 representatives per household (with not more than 8 pax per group). The opening hours will be extended to 24-hours, with effect from 20 Mar until 18 Apr 2021.

Visitors driving to Mandai Columbarium during peak days will also be required to book an appointment. Visit www.nea.gov.sg/qingming2021 for more information.

Not sure what to do with your used Personal Mobility Device (PMD)? Recycle it! Aside from retrieving precious materials from its li-ion batteries, the metal parts can also be used in the manufacturing of other products.

To make recycling PMDs more convenient, we are collaborating with KGS Pte Ltd to set up collection points at residential areas until June 2021. Check out where and when at https://www.kgs.com.sg/pmd-collection-program #TowardsZeroWaste

Looking for fun ways to encourage people around you to get started on leading more earth-friendly lifestyles? NEA is now on TikTok to spread the love for our environment. Follow us by searching for nea_sg or visiting www.tiktok.com/@nea_sg

Have you recycled your used PMD yet? From now until June 2021, you’ll be able to do so at collection points in residential areas. Check out where and when at https://www.kgs.com.sg/pmd-collection-program

Aside from retrieving precious materials from its li-ion batteries, the metal parts can also be used in the manufacturing of other products. #TowardsZeroWaste