'Dangerous' heat index expected in 36 areas on Monday

Heat index may reach a "danger level" in 36 areas in the country on Monday, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

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

47°C

• Dagupan City, Pangasinan 

46°C

• Aparri, Cagayan 

45°C

• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
• Bacnotan, La Union
• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• ISU, Echague, Isabela
• Baler, Aurora 

44°C

• Sinait, Ilocos Sur
• Casiguran, Aurora
• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
• Coron, Palawan
• Aborlan, Palawan
• Dumangas, Iloilo

43°C

• NAIA, Pasay City
• MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte
• NVSU, Bayombong, Nueva Ecija
• Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas
• Puerto Princesa, Palawan
• Virac, Catanduanes
• Iloilo City, Iloilo
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar
• Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur

42°C

• Science Garden, Quezon City 
• Iba, Zambales 
• Clark Airport, Pampanga
• CLSU, Munoz, Nueva Ecija
• Cubi Pt, Subic Bay, Olongapo City
• Sangley Point, Cavite
• Legazpi City, Albay
• CBSUA, Pili, Camarines Sur
• Roxas City, Capiz
• Mambusao, Capiz - 42
• La Granja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental
• Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte
• 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 to 51°C. Heat stroke is also possible with continued exposure.

PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said the highest heat index in the country since last year was recorded on Sunday in Iba, Zambales at 53°C.

“Nitong mga nagdaang taon hindi pa naman po siya talaga highly established. So yung naitala po natin last year, meron tayong mga 48°C sa Butuan, 51°C sa San Jose, Occidental Mindoro,” he told Unang Balita.

(In recent years, heat index had not really been established. So what we recorded last year, we have about 48°C in Butuan, 51°C in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro.)

“So far ito pong mga records natin for this year is ang masasabi nating mas official na po at iyong 53°C kahapon sa may Iba, Zambales, iyon po so far ang highest,” he added.

(Our records for this year are more official and the 53°C heat index yesterday in Iba, Zambales, is the highest so far.)

From 52°C and up, PAGASA said such heat indexes are already considered “extreme danger level,” which means heat stroke is imminent.

If anyone is experiencing heat stroke symptoms, the Department of Health (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 the public 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