Warmer 2024 could be dangerous to body, livestock —OCD

Weather bureau PAGASA on Thursday warned that 2024 could be one of the warmest years amid the El Niño phenomenon.

The Office of Civil Defense said the rising temperature poses danger to health, agriculture and livestock.

In Maki Pulido’s “24 Oras” report, the state weather bureau said the full impact of El Niño may be felt in the country from March to May, with temperatures expected to hit at least 34.6°C to 36.5° in Metro Manila. 

The country’s heat index may also reach 40°C — warmer than the temperature recorded in the summer season last year. 

“Kung sabi natin globally warmest year ang 2023. Dito po makikita natin this could be the warmest year,” PAGASA Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section chief Ana Liza Solis said. 

(We said 2023 is the warmest year globally, but we foresee higher temperatures this year.)

The OCD said the rising temperature may cause health hazards and reminded the public to drink eight to 12 glasses of water to maintain hydration. 

“Medyo mapanganib ito kasi ang normal body temp is 37°C  lang so pumatak yung nasa labas mas mainit pa para tayong nilalagnat,” said OCD spokesperson Edgar Posadas. 

(This poses a danger to health because our normal body temperature is 37°C.)

“The key is hydration. We should have 8 to 12 glasses or more everyday,” Posadas added. 

The El Niño phenomenon is characterized by the abnormal warming of sea surface temperature in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and below-normal rainfall. 

PAGASA, in May 2023, issued an El Niño Alert after forecasts showed that the phenomenon may emerge in the next three months at 80% probability and may last until the first quarter of 2024.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) issued reminders to farmers raising livestock to prevent the animals from suffering from heatstroke. 

“Dapat well monitored ang mga alagang hayop. Pangalawa provision ng tubig na inumin,” said Dr. Aracely Robeniol, Pangasinan Veterinary Office officer-in-charge, said. 

(The livestock should be well monitored. There should also be water provision for them.)

“We advise to avoid exposing farm animals to sun from 10 a.m. to 2 or 3 p.m.,” Robeniol added. 

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said it is not expecting water service interruption in Metro Manila amid the warming temperature, adding it has an alternative water supply in case the water level in Angat Dam decreases.

The Department of Energy likewise allayed fears of power outages. 

“Wala tayong inaasahan na magkakaroon ng brownout. ‘Yung outages naman ay hindi lang galing sa supply meron din mga outages na nag re-result from local conditions so problema sa transmission distribution facilities,” said DOE Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan. 

(We are not expecting any brownouts. The outages were not merely due to supply loss but some blackouts are caused by local conditions so the problem was with  transmission distribution facilities.) —Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News