PAGASA: Dangerous heat index expected in 35 areas on Wednesday

Heat index in 35 areas in the country may hit “danger level” on Wednesday, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

In its forecast as of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, PAGASA said the following areas are expected to feel heat indexes of up to 48°C:

48°C

• CBSUA, Pili, Camarines Sur

47°C

• Dagupan City, Pangasinan 

46°C

• Aparri, Cagayan 

45°C

• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• Puerto Princesa, Palawan
• Virac, Catanduanes
• Masbate City, Masbate

44°C

• ISU, Echague, Isabela
• Casiguran, Aurora
• Coron, Palawan
• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
• Aborlan, Palawan
• Roxas City, Capiz
• Iloilo City, Iloilo
• Dumangas, Iloilo

43°C

• NAIA, Pasay City
• MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte
• Bacnotan, La Union
• Iba, Zambales 
• Baler, Aurora
• Sangley Point, Cavite
• Alabat, Quezon
• Daet, Camarines Norte
• La Granja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental
• Catarman, Northern Samar
• Tacloban City, Leyte

42°C

• Science Garden, Quezon City 
• Sinait, Ilocos Sur
• CLSU, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
• Cubi Pt, Subic Bay, Olongapo City
• Legazpi City, Albay
• Mambusao, Capiz 
• Catbalogan, Samar
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar

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.

PAGASA said 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.

The highest computed heat index in the country on Tuesday was recorded in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, at 48°C, according to PAGASA. It warned that heat index may spike between 45°C and 54.8°C in May. 

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

A total of 67 cases of heat-related illnesses among individuals aged 12 to 21 years old have already been recorded from January 1 to April 29, according to Department of Health (DOH) data. One case was recorded in Ilocos while the rest were in Central Visayas. 

If anyone is experiencing heat stroke symptoms, the DOH advised the following first aid measures:

• Move the person to a shaded, cool area, and provide ventilation.
• Remove the person’s outer clothing.
• Apply cold compresses, ice packs, cold water, or cold wet cloth against the skin, especially on the head, face, neck, armpits, wrists, ankles, and groin. If the patient is conscious, encourage frequent slow sips of cool water.
• Contact emergency services or bring the person to the hospital immediately

To prevent heat-related illnesses, the DOH advised the public to limit time spent outdoors, drink plenty of water, and avoid tea, coffee, soda, as well as liquor.

People should also use umbrellas, hats, and sleeved clothing outdoors and schedule their heavy-duty activities for the beginning or end of the day when it is cooler. 

PAGASA on March 22 declared the start of the warm and dry season in the country and the start of the El Niño phenomenon on July 4 last year.

Since 2023, the United Nations has warned of “global boiling.”

“The era of global warming has ended, the era of global boiling has arrived,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in June 2023. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA Integrated News