Dangerous heat index expected in 40 areas on Tuesday

Heat index in 40 areas in the country may reach “danger level” on Tuesday, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

In its forecast as of 5 p.m. on Monday, PAGASA said the following areas may experience the highest heat index of up to 47°C:

47°C

• Dagupan City, Pangasinan

46°C

• Virac (Synop), Catanduanes
• CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur

45°C

• Roxas City, Capiz
• Catarman, Northern Samar
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar
• Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte

44°C

• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
• Bacnotan, La Union
• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro 
• Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
• Cuyo, Palawan
• Legazpi City, Albay
• Masbate City, Masbate
• Iloilo City, Iloilo

43°C

• NAIA Pasay City, M.Manila
• Aparri, Cagayan
• ISU, Echague, Isabela
• Baler (Radar), Aurora
• Casiguran, Aurora
• Aborlan, Palawan
• Dumangas, Iloilo
• Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte
• Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur

42°C

• Science Garden Quezon City, Metro Manila
• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• Iba, Zambales
• Clark Airport (DMIA), Pampanga
• CLSU, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
• Cubi Pt., Subic Bay Olongapo City
• Sangley Point, Cavite 
• Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas
• Daet, Camarines Norte
• La Granja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental
• Catbalogan, Samar
• Tacloban City, Leyte
• Borongan, Eastern Samar
• Davao City, Davao Del Sur 
• Cotabato City, Maguindanao 
• Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte

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 heat index recorded on Monday was in Dagupan City, Pangasinan at 50°C, according to PAGASA.

On May 4, the Department of Health (DOH) said 77 cases of heat-related illnesses were reported this year so far, including those who may have died due to the hot weather.

Around 87% or 67 of these cases were aged 12 to 21 years old.

Of the 77 total cases, seven were "reported deaths" although these were "non-conclusive for heat stroke" due to insufficient data.

The DOH said these deaths may be heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, or heat-influenced, such as underlying high risk for heart attack, precipitated by hot environment that led to elevated blood pressure.

Face-to-face classes have been suspended in some areas on Tuesday due to expected extreme heat conditions.

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