Heat index in 38 areas may reach danger level on Monday —PAGASA

Dangerous heat index is expected in 38 areas in the country on Monday, state weather bureau PAGASA said. 

In its forecast on Sunday, PAGASA said the following areas experience the highest index of up to 46°C:

46°C

• Sangley Point, Cavite
• Virac (Synop), Catanduanes
• Roxas City, Capiz
• Catarman, Northern Samar

45°C

• Iba, Zambales
• Legazpi City, Albay
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar

44°C

• Casiguran, Aurora
• Cubi Pt., Subic Bay, Olongapo City
• Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas
• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
• Masbate City, Masbate 
• Iloilo City, Iloilo 
• Dumangas, lloilo
• Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur

43°C

• Science Garden, Quezon City, Metro Manila
• Dagupan City, Pangasinan
• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• ISU, Echague, Isabela
• Coron, Palawan
• Puerto Princesa City, Palawan 
• Cuyo, Palawan
• Mambusao, Capiz
• Catbalogan, Samar
• Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte

42°C

• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
• Bacnotan, La Union
• Aparri, Cagayan
• CLSU,Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
• Baler (Radar), Aurora
• Calapan, Oriental Mindoro
• Aborlan, Palawan
• CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur
• Panglao International Airport, Bohol
• Tacloban City, Leyte 
• Borongan, Eastern Samar
• Davao City, Davao Del Sur
• Butuan City, Agusan 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°C to 51°C. Heat stroke is also possible with continued exposure.

The highest heat index recorded on Sunday was in Guiuan, Eastern Samar at 50°C, according to PAGASA.

On May 4, the Department of Health (DOH) said 77 cases of heat-related illnesses were reported so far this year, 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.

Due to extreme heat conditions, face-to-face classes in some areas for Monday have been suspended. 

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