To help plants in Singapore cope with the current dry spell, the National Parks Board (NParks) is watering newly-planted young saplings and significant trees such as the Heritage Trees with non-potable water.

The agency had said during a similar 2010 dry period that it stops routine watering during prolonged dry weather to conserve water.

NParks director of streetscape Oh Cheow Seong said in a statement on Tuesday that due to the prolonged lack of rain, some plants here had shown signs of "water stress". But trees in general were "still holding up quite well" due to unusually cool weather on several days which reduced moisture loss.

He added that the current dry spell had also brought about the flowering of several roadside trees, especially those that occur naturally during distinct dry seasons. These include the Yellow Saraca, Common Sterculia and the Yellow Flame.