Lakes in S’pore, Including Botanic Gardens Lake, Drying Up Due To Heat

If I asked you how the weather has been lately, it would probably only take you about two seconds to start complaining about how the merciless heat is absolutely torturous.

Well, you’re not the only one who thinks so. The temperature in Singapore has been rising steadily and no one is too happy about it.

I find myself starting to sweat the moment I leave my house. There really is no point in wearing makeup at all in this unbearable heat

Singapore’s Dry Spell

According to Meteorological Service Singapore (MSS), Singapore is currently experiencing its first dry spell in more than 5 years, as reported by CNA. This dry spell started on 31 July 2019, so that explains why it seems like we’ve been living in an oven for the entire month of August.

Daily temperatures have been soaring to a maximum of 34.7ºC. The dry spell is not only affecting Singaporeans, but it is also taking a toll on some of our beautiful natural sites.

Eco Lake Couldn’t Stand the Heat

The Singapore Botanic Gardens, the country’s first UNESCO Heritage site, has been struggling to fight the sizzling hot weather. The Gardens’ famous Eco Lake seems to have disappeared almost completely, having shrunk quite a lot over the past month.

The Eco Lake and Eco Garden used to be a beautiful display of trees, shrubs, and plants with various fruits, herbs, spices, and even colourful flowers.

Keyword: used to.

It was also home to plenty of wildlife, like a family of elegant black swans from Western Australia.

And now, it’s like a puddle of water and nothing more than that.

Dried-up, shrunken and not a single animal to be seen. The lake that used to be bustling with colours and life just looks sad and boring now. And it’s all thanks to our dear friend – climate change.

However, this is not the first time that the Eco Lake has dried up like this. It happened earlier on in the year as well, in March, where it was also blamed on the hot weather. It was expected to go back to normal in another two months, and then stay that way, but surprise – it’s happened again.

The Eco Lake is not the only water body in Singapore that has faced this issue. Bedok Reservoir, in the east, seems to have shrunk quite a bit as well, with more rocks now being visible near the water surface.

What the future looks like

If you think that this heat is bad enough, I have news for you. It only gets worse from here.

Singapore could hit 40°C by 2045 if nothing is done about greenhouse gas emissions. If it feels like an oven right now, it’s going to feel like we’re actually in hell by then.

Hmmm, migrating does not seem like a bad idea after all except, well, climate change is a global issue for a reason…