Heat index in 39 areas to hit ‘danger level’ —PAGASA

Thirty-nine areas in the country may experience a ‘danger level’ of heat index on Thursday, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

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

48°C

CBSUA, Pili, Camarines Sur

47°C

Dagupan City, Pangasinan 

46°C

Tacloban City, Leyte

45°C

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

44°C

Bacnotan, La Union

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

Cubi Pt, Subic Bay, Olongapo City

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

Aborlan, Palawan

Roxas City, Capiz

Iloilo City, Iloilo

Dumangas, Iloilo

Catarman, Northern Samar

43°C

NAIA, Pasay City

Aparri, Cagayan 

Iba, Zambales 

Casiguran, Aurora

Coron, Palawan

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro

Legazpi City, Albay

Virac, Catanduanes

La Granja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental

42°C

Science Garden, Quezon City 

Sinait, Ilocos Sur

MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte

ISU, Echague, Isabela

Clark Airport, Pampanga

CLSU, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija

Baler, Aurora

Sangley Point, Cavite

Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas

Infanta, Quezon

Alabat, Quezon

Calapan, Oriental Mindoro

Masbate City, Masbate

Mambusao, Capiz 

Catbalogan, Samar

Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte

Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur

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 Wednesday was recorded in CBSUA, Pili, Camarines Sur and Catarman, Northern Samar at 48°C, according to PAGASA. 

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, and 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/ VAL, GMA Integrated News