North Eastern Riverine Loop (NERL) – Thunderstorm Warnings

Update : Please read the advisory from National Parks Board “Public should exercise caution and refrain from visiting parks and nature reserves during stormy weather“. Apparently 13 trees near Changi Beach Park were uprooted due to gusty winds during the thunderstorm during the weekends. Please check the latest weather forecast before going out. Refer to NEA’s weather forecast hotline at 6542 7788, website ( http://www.nea.gov.sg), mobile weather service (Weather@SG  - weather.nea.gov.sg) or Twitter via @NEAsg.

If you are heading outdoors to the nature parks and any outdoor settings – check the weather forecast before you leave. For Singapore weather forecast, check out NEA Website. Another alternative – Wunderground.

Singapore is in the midst of the Inter-Monsoon season with mostly short-duration afternoon thundery showers. Morning thunderstorms are not spared. Rain, thunder and lightning are prevalent during these times. For more information, refer to the Monsoon Update.

Too many times for the past few weeks, I was caught in one of those thunderstorm while outdoors cycling the North Eastern Riverine Loop (NERL). Weather patterns can change drastically and forecasts are not always accurate. Thunderstorm warning signboards along this route are there for a reason. The NERL is one of the most scenic Park Connector Network (PCN) in Singapore. I believe it is also one of the most hazarded areas during thunderstorms as everywhere there is water. Water is a great conductor for electricity and lightning storms are occuring almost everyday along these region nowadays.

How to spot when a lighting thunderstorm is imminent? See pictures below on the progression of thunderstorm clouds called cumulonimbus.

6.13pm – Three columns of cumulonimbus clouds over Punggol Waterway

6.24pm – Cumulonimbus clouds towering above Lorong Halus Wetland

6.38pm – All three cumulonimbus clouds seem to merge

6.43pm – Embracing cumulonimbus clouds with a small gap in the middle

6.49pm – Merged cumulonimbus at its mature stage – lightning started to appear then

Do you see how fast the thunderstorm clouds change within a space of 36 minutes? If you see these cauliflower shape clouds in the distance, best to seek shelter immediately. Nobody can outrun a storm, much less lightning.

The last reported lightning incident was in November 2011 when two guys were hit by lighting at Coney Island (formerly Pulau Serangoon). One survived, the other did not. Let’s not be one of the statistics.

I still see parents and grandparents pushing the pram along this route while a lightning thunderstorm rumbles. Maybe they think since there is no rain, it is still safe. NO – it is not safe! The storm clouds may look far away but lighting can travel many kilometers away. Even if it is not raining, a bolt of “out of the blue” lightning can still occur.

My advice – avoid crossing all the bridges along Punggol Waterway or even the red bridge heading to Lorong Halus Wetland during the thunderstorms. There is no shelter on the bridges and they can be counted as some of the highest elevation among the surroundings.

The red toilets along Punggol Promenade (though looking metallic) can accommodate more people than the small shelters along the waterway. If you are already there on the riverside of Lorong Halus Wetland, there is a shelter as well. The shell-like shelters along the Nature Walk section of Punggol Promenade are made of aluminium and are not much protection in severe storms.

At Punggol Beach, there is shelter underneath the Viewing Gallery at the Jetty, bus stop, toilet, a small shelter (usually used by anglers) somewhere in the middle distance between Punggol Jetty and the Marina Country Club and then there is the Marina Country Club.

Along Punggol Waterway, there are small shelters and underneath the road highways. The PCN tracks next to Punggol Reservoir and Serangoon Reservoir have small shelters as well.

Take heed, be safe and please be careful.

What to do if caught in a thunderstorm outdoors?
- seek shelter in a covered building, vehicles
- if no shelter outdoors, go to the lowest elevation, crouch down on the balls of your feet with heels touching, hands on knees/calfs, head down
- do not lie down on the ground, sit under a tree or stand near tall objects like street lamps, touch metallic objects like fences and railings
- if in swimming pool, open field or water, get out immediately
- avoid riding a bicycle, motorcycle or golf cart
- remove all metallic accessories
- if on an open area with groups of people, spread out
- even when the storm stops, wait another 30 minutes since the last sound of thunder

What to do if a person is struck by lighting? First 4 Minutes are Crucial
- it is ok to touch a person struck by lightning, there is no electrical charge left
- call the doctor or ambulance immediately
- while reports said it is safe to use a mobile phone, I am not too sure, best avoid using the house phone during a lightning storm
- remove the victim from immediate danger zone (eg open field), if possible
- perform CPR if victim is not breathing

Related articles
Thunderstorms and Lightning (www.nea.gov.sg)
Lightning: the scariest thing on the shores (wildshores.blogspot.com)
Angler was killed by lightning strike on Coney Island: Coroner (www.straitstimes.com)
Lightning strike left canoeist brain dead (www.straitstimes.com)
Man struck by lightning while playing golf (news.asiaone.com)
The Lightning Capital (http://www.rappler.com)

Singapore World Water Day 2012

Boat cruising along Serangoon Reservoir in front of Lorong Halus Wetland

Today, 24 March 2012, is Singapore World Water Day 2012. To celebrate the event, PUB organised various events around Singapore to create awareness and education about the importance of saving water.

For more information, visit PUB website at http://www.singaporeworldwaterday.com/

I was around Punggol Promenade at Punggol Waterway opposite Lorong Halus Wetland this morning and took some snapshots. The weather had been hazy for the past few days and today as well.

Quite a busy day along the nature parks in Singapore. Have a great weekend, everybody!

A big tent in front of Lorong Halus Wetland in celebration of Singapore World Water Day 2012

Cyclists and walkers on the red bridge on their way to Lorong Halus Wetland

Misty Morning at Serangoon Reservoir

Misty Landscape at Serangoon Reservoir with a red dawn background

Specs : 7.07am 17 March 2012, F14, 1/2secs, ISO 100, -1.3EV, White Balance =  Shade, Aperture Priority

Misty Landscape at Serangoon Reservoir with a golden glow background

Specs : 7.10am 17 March 2012, F14, 0.77secs, ISO 100, 0EV, White Balance =  Shade, Aperture Priority

These pictures were all taken yesterday morning. Only three minutes apart from each picture but the results are all different. Yesterday’s post on the red dawn was taken at 7.02am. So, it was interesting to observe the lightning conditions, the specs for each picture and the results shown.

There was no mist on that day. There was some condensation on the polarizer when I put on the filter. I just remembered reading a photography magazine that a photographer used his breath and blew on the lens filter to get that misty look. It worked!

In the first picture, the lights were still on. Three minutes later, in the second picture, they were off. All these different hues and the sun had not risen yet!  It is always a delight to observe nature spectacular light shows and appreciate all the things we have back home.

While it is very tempting to click on the camera constantly, I also invite you to put the camera aside for a few moments. Be early, even at 6.30am there are already people here. Observe how the day awakens, hear the buzzing of insects, the chirping of birds while the sun slowly casts its warm glow on the landscape here at Serangoon Reservoir and Lorong Halus Wetland. Smile with delight as white egrets, grey herons, white terns, brown eagles and blue feathered kingfishers fly by trying to catch the early worms. A splash in the water! Whoops, something just got eaten or those are just fishes. Every day is a delight.

Have a great Sunday, everyone!

Red Dawn, Red Sunrise at Serangoon Reservoir

Sunrise at Serangoon Reservoir. Punggol Promenade/Punggol Waterway on the left, Lorong Halus Wetland on the right.

What a beautiful gorgeous sunrise we had today. Some mornings could be so magical. Technically, it was not yet sunrise since the official sunrise time was at about 7.13am. This picture was taken at 7.04am, so a red dawn seemed more appropriate. The red hue lasted less than 5 minutes. Minutes later, the color changed to a golden hue instead. No filter, no post processing. Just a little trim to make this a landscape panorama and that’s it.

Specs : F11, 1/5sec, ISO 100, -1.3EV, White Balance =  Shade, Aperture Priority, Camera Setting = High Saturation. Taken with AF-S Nikkor 35mm lens. The good thing about this lens – it is much sharper than the kit lens. The down side is there is no Image Stabilizer, so either need a tripod or a steady support for sharp pictures.

Have a lovely weekend, everybody!

Surreal Dawn at Punggol Waterway

It rained last night and early this morning. I was hoping for a glorious sunrise and came prepared with my graduated ND filter set. Alas it was not meant to be. I was at Punggol Road, at the bridge overlooking the directions of Lorong Halus when the dark clouds blew in from the left horizon. Saw flashes of lightning, hey, it was time to get out from there. Captured this picture of dawn breaking on the opposite horizon, looking west.

Punggol Waterway landscape at Dawn

This was done by using a red graduated ND filter. Camera settings : F8, 1 seconds, ISO 360, +0.3EV at 18mm focal length.

Sometimes when the sky is grey, it is always fun to experiment and be creative. Have fun over the weekend!

Last Sunset of 2011 and Next Year Plans

Well 2011 is coming to an end midnight today. I hope the year has been good to you and your loved ones. May the new year bring you more good fortune and happiness.

Thank you friends for taking the time to read the blog, clicking on the like button, leaving your comments and all the encouragement. I fulfilled the “Post a Day” WordPress challenge. Whew! What a relieve! Come next year, I will be focusing more on building my photography portfolio so posting will slightly reduced. Over time, this blog has evolved to a travelogue, photo-for-the-day, information and focus on Punggol Waterway. This has become a personal project of mine. For next year, posts on Punggol Waterway will usually be done on weekends. Events or travel information will be posted as and when there is something to report. Photography wise, I will like to post Photo-of-the-Week on a Monday. Hopefully all these plans are on schedule.

This photo is the last sunset of 2011. Glad I went out today after a whole day of having fever. Nothing like some exercise to make you feel a bit better. Those attending the new year’s countdown, have a great time! Happy New Year, everybody! May 2012 bring you good tidings!

2011 Last Sunset

Waterplay at Punggol Waterway

Punggol Waterway in the early morning

As seen from the bridge, this is a view of Punggol Waterway. The Waterplay area with the water cannons and water fountains are on top the hill, next to the “Rustic Bridge” or suspension bridge. While I was there, the water started sprouting around 8.45am. Not sure if that is the usual timing or if they were turned on because a group of kids and their teachers, I assumed, arrived there exactly at that time. The look of joy and excitement on the kids faces were delightful to see.

This picture is more of a wide angle frame of the surroundings. At that hour, the sun shined at a low angle and I wanted to capture the green glow of the grassland with the trees casting shadows and there was a slight mist on the background.

Next time if you are there around this hour, do check if the water fountains at the Waterplay area are switched on at 8.45am.

Stray Dogs at Punggol Waterway

I wrote this blog last Saturday, A View at the Top, about being chased by wild dogs while at the Punggol Waterway hilltop. Today, I read the news about Stray dogs attack Punggol Jogger from Yahoo News. Apparently a jogger was attacked by stray dogs while out jogging last Wednesday night.

Today’s posting is not about sensationalism. Reading the news I agree on a few points. Likely the dogs were protecting their territory. The advise given when faced with such situation is similar to what I wrote earlier.

Re-posting my earlier post so you don’t have to click on the above link.

A View of Punggol Waterway from the hilltop

I was chased by dogs this morning. Again.

I had always wanted to climb up here and see the view from high above. This morning I got my wish. Spend plenty of time exploring the forest edge at the top of the hill. I was exactly at this point that I heard dogs barking and they came rushing to where I was.

That is the LRT tract with Sam Kee LRT Station in the distance. Underneath the LRT tract, you can see the bridge linking the waterway. That was where the dogs came from. There were four of them and only one of me. Better get moving. They must had considered this section as their territory. Maybe that place was their shelter.

I just walked away slow and steady and they didn’t chase. Animals don’t attack people without provocation. The worst thing a person can do is run. Not good, just natural instinct to chase something in flight. Don’t be afraid, folks. Treat animals with kindness and they won’t hurt you and trust your instinct when to run, walk away or stand your ground.

Lessons Learnt

I think my instinct was right the other day. I don’t blame the dogs. They are just fighting for survival and what they perceive as a threat. Another thing that can be perceived as a threat – Don’t stare at them directly in their eyes! Animals take that as a challenge and will retaliate. No, I am not an expert, just life observations and instinct.

Those who are familiar with this place may have seen the stray dogs several times. I hope this news have not turned off anyone from visiting this place. Just wish to point out some locations where I had seen the dogs. So don’t be surprised if you see them loitering around. They won’t attack anyone without reason.

Water Fountain at Punggol Waterway

That picture above is one area. At the Heartwave Wall, after climbing the highest staircase, there is a doorway leading to an empty section. Somehow I think there is a linkage to the area underneath Sam Kee LRT station. At night it is very dark night here. Don’t want to be alarmed if there are dogs barking here. Night time here can be quite dark and it is true quite isolated.

I had also seen stray dogs along the grassland opposite the Jewel Bridge and the undulating section near the Horse Shoe Bridge, the gravel path leading to the Serangoon Dam and along Pasir Ris Farmway 3.

This isn’t about a manhunt for their shelters. This is the outdoors and all living creatures are there to roam.

Just learn to respect boundaries and we can all get along just fine.

I hope all have recovered from the train disruption and have great plans for the weekends. Happy Holidays!

Update : A number of things came to light after that news incident. The AVA looking out for the public safety and the animal lovers plight to save the dogs. There are many different sides to each story. Out of this story, the public is educated about behind-the-scenes reasoning and procedures. I love nature and animals and don’t ever wish to see them suffer. To the groups that are trying their best to habitat and save the animals, I wish them the best. You may wish to read about the dogs they managed to save here : Save Punggol Dogs. To the public who see the wild dogs around the area, don’t be startled or alarmed. They have as much right to roam here as this is their playground. Don’t throw stones or sticks at them to chase them away. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t get too near, go by another route. Be wary but be kind too.

A View at the Top

A view of Punggol Waterway taken at the top of the hill

I was chased by dogs this morning. Again.

I had always wanted to climb up here and see the view from high above. This morning I got my wish. Spend plenty of time exploring the forest edge at the top of the hill. I was exactly at this point that I heard dogs barking and they came rushing to where I was.

That is the LRT tract with Sam Kee LRT Station in the distance. Underneath the LRT tract, you can see the bridge linking the waterway. That was where the dogs came from. There were four of them and only one of me. Better get moving. They must had considered this section as their territory. Maybe that place was their shelter.

I just walked away slow and steady and they didn’t chase. Animals don’t attack people without provocation. The worst thing a person can do is run. Not good, just natural instinct to chase something in flight. Don’t be afraid, folks. Treat animals with kindness and they won’t hurt you and trust your instinct when to run, walk away or stand your ground.

That aside, I hope you like that view. Empty grassland like that don’t stay empty for long. Sooner or later an EC,  condo or flats will be built. What a view that will be! Meanwhile, appreciate the little pockets of forested areas that we still have before they are gone forever.

Have a great weekend!

Update : Just a reminder that tonight is the Lunar Eclipse. Info from Singapore Astronomy Club shows the timing :

7.31 pm – Start of Penumbra Eclipse.
8.45 pm – Start of Umbra Partial Phase.
10.05 pm – Start of Total Eclipse.
10.31 pm – Maximum Eclipse.
10.57 pm – End of Total Eclipse.
12.18 am – End of Umbra Partial Eclipse.
1.31 am – End of Penumbra Eclipse.

Organised watching parties are at Labrador Park and Fullerton Bay. But you can watch it wherever you are

Waterfall Shadows and Lights

It is tricky to take pictures of waterfalls at night. Pretty much dependant on the light source. I have a strange aversion for taking pictures with flash. Good or bad lighting, I will just grab the shot whatever I can. Night is about lights and shadows, brightness and darkness. Here is an urban man-made waterfall, taken at night during a walkabout at Punggol Waterway. Spotlights shine at each waterfall or as some call it water curtains. The lights shining on the plants cast interesting shadowy shapes. One thing to take note, it can be very slippery after the rain. Walk slow with care. Night is about mood. For more intricate details, waterfall pictures here are best taken during day time.

Heartwave waterfall as seen during night time

Shadows and Lights along the Heartwave Wall