Here comes the rain again as Singapore marks World Water Day

Singapore marked World Water Day on Saturday, and right on cue, light rain fell in some places on Saturday afternoon for a brief respite from the prolonged dry weather.

Singaporeans including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong took to social media to welcome the burst of rain.

"Arriving at ITE College Central for the National RC Convention - RAIN!!" wrote Mr Lee on his Facebook page, along with a picture of the Institute of Technical Education college seen through water droplets on a car windscreen.

He was on his way to a residents' committee (RC) event.

It was but a passing shower mostly in eastern and central Singapore. The National Environment Agency said in a statement yesterday that as of 5pm, the highest rainfall recorded was 3.8mm at Scotts Road.

"The rainfall this afternoon was not widespread and heavy enough to break the current dry spell," it added.

Since dry weather conditions will stay, conserving water must continue to be a priority for Singaporeans, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on Sunday at a World Water Day event at Marina Barrage.

He said the dry spell has not affected the country because the Government has planned and invested in water systems.

But he said Singaporeans must be prepared for a prolonged dry spell and called on them to make small changes to conserve water.

They can save water by taking shorter showers, washing clothes on a full load in washing machines and brushing teeth with a mug instead of using running water.

"When added up, these savings will help stretch our water resources further," he said.

Mr Teo was among several ministers and Members of Parliament who attended World Water Day events at Marina Barrage, Jurong Lake, Geylang River, Punggol Waterway and Yishun Pond.

More than 17,500 people took part in activities such as mass walks and cycling.

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who was at Jurong Lake, also urged Singaporeans to save water. "Water is especially precious now, and it is important for all of us to do more for water conservation," he said.

Tuas has had the most rainfall in the first two weeks of March, with a total of 18.6mm. There were brief afternoon showers in the western parts of Singapore but other areas had little or no rain.

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