PAGASA: More parts of PH to have danger-level heat index in May

More parts of the Philippines may have to endure the blistering heat as state weather bureau PAGASA forecasted the heat index spiking between 45°C and 54.8°C in May. 

According to a "24 Oras" report by Maki Pulido on Tuesday, several areas in the country will experience an additional 1°C to 14°C rise in temperature depending on the relative humidity, while temperatures in Metro Manila may also reach up to 52.3°C.

Based on PAGASA’s heat index forecast, the number of areas under danger level may increase within the next week.

Extreme Temperature Forecasts for May also predicted that the whole country will have temperatures higher than 31°C.

“Expect na yung magnitude and or dami ng stations na nasa danger category [ay] madadagdagan pa, and yung temperature or yung heat index na may values ay maari ring magdagdagaan,” said PAGASA Weather Specialist John Manalo.

(Expect that the magnitude or number of stations under the danger category [will] increase, and the temperature or heat index with values may also rise.)

Meanwhile, the Center for Energy Ecology and Development said that the extreme forecast should be treated as an “emergency situation."

“Emergency situation na to. Parang kung nasusunog bahay mo, hindi lang umiinit bahay mo, nasusunog na bahay mo… Ibig sabihin, extra-ordinary measures na dapat ang pantugon dito. Hindi na uubra yung mga band aid solutions, lalo na kung business as usual parin ang solusyon mo,” said Gerry Arances, the groups, executive director..

(This is an emergency situation already. It's like a house on fire, it's not only hot, but burning. It means, extra-ordinary measures should be in place a response to this. Band aid solutions won’t work any longer, especially if your solution is business as usual)

“Nagbibigay ng senyales ang ating mundo na something has to be done, and very alarming nga ito,” added Climate Change Commission vice chair and executive director Robert Borje.

(Our world is sending signs that something has to be done, and this is very alarming)

Following the effects of the El Niño, PAGASA said that the country will also experience La Niña.

At least 14 typhoons are expected to enter the country starting June until October.

“Mas malaki chances na mag landfall siya during La Niña, pero yung lakas ng bagyo ay relatively weaker compared to those that have formed during El Niño,” said Manalo.

(There’s a bigger chance that it will landfall during La Niña, but the typhoons are relatively weaker compared to those that have formed during El Niño)

Heat index is the measure of the temperature that a person feels, which is different from the actual air temperature. It is computed by factoring in the humidity and the air temperature.

According to PAGASA, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely in areas experiencing a danger level heat index, which is from 42 to 51°C. Heat stroke is also possible with continued exposure. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News