PAGASA: Dangerous heat index expected in 35 areas on Wednesday

01/05/2024

A woman waits for a jeepney during a hot day in Manila, April 19, 2024. REUTERS/ Lisa Marie David

Heat index in 35 areas in the country may hit “danger level” on Wednesday, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

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

48°C

CBSUA, Pili, Camarines Sur

47°C

Dagupan City, Pangasinan

46°C

Aparri, Cagayan

45°C

Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Virac, Catanduanes
Masbate City, Masbate

44°C

ISU, Echague, Isabela
Casiguran, Aurora
Coron, Palawan
San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
Aborlan, Palawan
Roxas City, Capiz
Iloilo City, Iloilo
Dumangas, Iloilo

43°C

NAIA, Pasay City
MMSU, Batac, Ilocos Norte
Bacnotan, La Union
Iba, Zambales
Baler, Aurora
Sangley Point, Cavite
Alabat, Quezon
Daet, Camarines Norte
La Granja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental
Catarman, Northern Samar
Tacloban City, Leyte

42°C

Science Garden, Quezon City
Sinait, Ilocos Sur
CLSU, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
Cubi Pt, Subic Bay, Olongapo City
Legazpi City, Albay
Mambusao, Capiz
Catbalogan, Samar
Guiuan, Eastern Samar

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 Tuesday was recorded in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, at 48°C, according to PAGASA. It warned that heat index may spike between 45°C and 54.8°C in May.

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, 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

This article PAGASA: Dangerous heat index expected in 35 areas on Wednesday was originally published in GMA News Online.

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