Metro Manila heat index at 42°C as easterlies bring scattered rains over PH

The heat index in Metro Manila will be at 42°C level as easterlies continue to bring cloudy skies with scattered rains over parts of the country on Saturday, PAGASA reported.

Davao Region and Sarangani will have cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the easterlies with possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the easterlies and localized thunderstorms with possible flash floods or landslides during severe thunderstorms.

The heat index may hit danger level in 30 areas on Saturday, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

PAGASA said heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely in areas experiencing a danger level heat index, which is from 42°C to 51°C. Heat stroke is also possible with continued exposure.

The heat index in Metro Manila remains high - between Extreme Caution and Danger Level - with 42 degrees Celsius at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Pasay City station and 41 degrees Celsius at the Science Garden in Quezon City.

Based on the heat index chart, the public is advised to take precaution against heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

The heat index is a measure of how hot it really feels when factoring in the relative humidity at a given location.

In order to prevent heat-related illnesses, the weather bureau is advising the public to do the following:

• Limit the time outdoors
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid tea, coffee, soda or liquor
• Wear umbrellas, hats, sleeved clothing outdoors
• Schedule heavy-duty activities at start or end of the day when it's cooler

The wind speed forecast for Northern Luzon is light to moderate moving in the east to southeast direction. Slight to moderate coastal waters are to be expected.

The rest of the country will experience light to moderate wind speed moving in the east to northeast direction while coastal waters will be slight to moderate.

Sunrise will be at 5:32 a.m., sunset at 6:14 p.m. — BAP/KG, GMA Integrated News