30 street dancers faint in Negros Oriental due to intense heat

At least 30 street dancers in Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental, fainted amid the sweltering heat.

According to Mark Salazar’s “24 Oras” report on Thursday, the affected individuals were part of a street dance competition for the town’s Pakol Festival.

Some of them were taken to rest in the shade, while others were rushed to the local health unit. They are now in stable condition.

State weather bureau PAGASA reported on Wednesday that 39 out of their 68 stations monitored dangerous levels of heat index across the country.

“Medyo matindi kasi ang mga temperature natin recently dahil may high pressure na nakaapekto satin,” said PAGASA climatologist John Manalo.

(We’re experiencing warmer temperatures due to the high pressure.)

“Kapag binalita na may low pressure area more likely uulan sa lugar pero kapag high pressure ang dinadala niya sa atin drier condition at mas mataas na temperature,” he added.

(If we report that there is a low pressure area, we’re anticipating rain, but if it's high pressure, it means drier conditions and higher temperatures.)

With the rising temperatures, is the Philippines currently experiencing a heatwave? Manalo said: “Puwede po enhanced temperature.''

(We can say we have enhanced temperature.)

PAGASA said that heatwaves occur when the temperature in an area rises by at least five notches compared to its average maximum in the last three decades.

“Bale ito po ay average for 30 years from 1991 to 2020. Then kapag ang T-max…or maximum temperature kapag month of May 34.4°C. Ibig sabihin niyan, halimbawa naging 39.4°C for five consecutive days kapag na-observe natin 'yan dun natin sasabihin na heatwave yan,” Manalo said.

(If the temperature rises to 39.4°C in an area that usually records 34.4°C for five consecutive days, then that’s a heatwave.)

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) defines heatwave as a ''period where local excess heat accumulates over a sequence of unusually hot days and nights.''

PAGASA said the country’s archipelagic state makes it difficult to monitor climate patterns. Areas with more greenery record lower temperatures, while cities experience higher temperatures due to the urban heat island effect.

Meanwhile, other countries in Asia are also reporting high heat indexes, including Bangladesh, Thailand, and Myanmar. — Sundy Locus/VBL, GMA Integrated News