From sojourns at libraries to frolicking at the fountain, people find ways to keep cool as temperature soars

SINGAPORE — Most weekends, Mr Ong Kai Teck would be wandering around different parts of the island to while away his time, but the 66-year-old retiree had a slight change of plans on Sunday (May 14).

People hanging out in an air-conditioned library at Vivocity on May 14, 2023.

"I was planning to explore Sentosa for a bit, but the moment I got out of (HarbourFront) MRT, I knew I made a mistake," said Mr Ong, whom TODAY found sitting in the air-conditioned comfort of Vivocity shopping mall's library.

"I tried to walk along the boardwalk (from Vivocity to Sentosa), but it was so warm I just gave up halfway and made a U-turn."

Mr Ong, who had neither a book nor newspaper in hand, admitted he just needed a moment to cool down from the blistering heat that has been baking the island in recent days and thought the library would be a cool refuge since entry is free to the public.

On Saturday, temperatures soared to 37°C, equalling a 40-year record for the highest daily maximum temperature.

According to the Meteorological Service Singapore, as of 7pm, Sunday's highest temperature of 35.2°C was recorded at 11.50am in Chua Chu Kang (South).

While it was hard to tell if the majority of the afternoon crowd at Vivocity should be attributed to the usual weekend throng, or chalked up to folks like Mr Ong trying to escape the heat, those whom TODAY spoke to in the early afternoon said they were looking at ways to alleviate their discomfort.

At the Best Denki electronics store within the mall, TODAY counted at least six groups of people perusing fans and air-conditioners, with the sales staff busy attending to their queries.

Some customers said they were hoping to either get a stronger fan for themselves at home or to finally replace their faulty air-con.

Mr Patrick Heng, a sales specialist at Best Denki, described business at the Vivocity outlet for air cooling systems as brisk in the past week, with most people buying portable air-con.

"One day, we can sell about 10 to 20 sets. Normally it would take us one month to do that," said Mr Heng.

He added that sales for the portable air-con — which range from around S$570 to close to S$3,000, according to Best Denki's website — have been so popular, they are now down to just 10 per cent of the original inventory.

When asked why the portable air-con is so popular, he said the demand for mounted air-con is so high that interested customers will have to wait till at least June to have them installed, so those who could not wait chose the alternative.

As for fans, he said they are cheap, "but the wind (generated) is still hot".

Elsewhere around the mall, there were others, particularly the young, who sought other means to keep cool.

When TODAY spoke with Ms Elmiyati, her five-year-old daughter was seen frolicking in the fountain at the playground on the third level.

"We had just come from a party, and she said it's hot and wanted to play in the water," said the 39-year-old permanent resident from Indonesia.

"I would prefer to be in an air-con room, but for my kid, sometimes she wants to go out, so nevermind," said Ms Elmiyati, who goes by only one name.

A similar scene played out earlier in the day some 10km away at the Sports Hub.

One father, who wanted to be known only as Mr Ng, said he would have joined his son at the Splash-N-Surf at the outdoor water play area if he could, as he was lacking the proper attire.

"It was an impromptu visit. You could say we’re here because of the heat," said the self-employed man in his 40s.

Though the midday sun was beating down relentlessly, it was no excuse to skip training for dragon boater Lucas Tan.

The 26-year-old engineer said he and his team have a race coming up in June and they could not stop training just yet on account of the heat.

Nevertheless, he said he would still take the necessary precautions to protect himself from a severe sunburn by wearing arm sleeves and a face covering while out rowing in the Kallang Basin, as well as ensuring he keeps hydrating.

That said, the outdoor volleyball court was noticeably devoid of any players.

Instead, found beside it were groups of domestic workers and their companions having picnics, or a siesta in some cases, under the shade of trees.

An eldercare caregiver from Indonesia, who gave her name as Daisy, said she was not bothered by the heat.

The 43-year-old said that she and her friends wanted to catch up after lunch and enjoy the balmy breeze blowing over from the Kallang Basin.

Besides, she found Sports Hub to be a little too crowded this Sunday, which coincided with the second day of K-pop group Blackpink's concert at the National Stadium.

One Blackpink fan said she was a "little scared of the heat" and had borrowed a neck fan from her father.

"My friend who came yesterday told me her face was melting," said 16-year-old Joanne Lee, who arrived hours before the concert begins in the evening.

"But honestly, I don't think anything can spoil my experience today. I've been waiting for this day for months, just to see Blackpink perform live. The heat is uncomfortable, but it's not going to ruin my day."

Despite the sweltering temperatures and the rising mercury in the thermometer, there are some who see it as a fortuitous occurrence.

"The clothes are drying well. I love it so much. And my plants are getting good sunlight. People complain that it's not raining. I don't understand. I rather have hot sun. You can't do anything when it rains," said Ms K Rajeswary, 60, a part-time educator.

The sudden downpour that followed on Sunday afternoon seemed almost ironic, as if the weather had overheard Ms Rajeswary's sentiments and decided to remind her of its unpredictable nature.

Or some higher power decided to grant this sweaty reporter some reprieve from the heat.