Pagasa: Brace for more intense heat in May

MANILA, Philippines – Temperatures are expected to soar further next month, particularly in Northern Luzon and the northern part of Cagayan Valley, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Wednesday.

“Until May po, makakapagtala pa rin tayo ng mas maiinit na temperatura at base sa forecast, mga around 40 na mga instantaneous na temperature na posibleng maranasan dito sa Northern Luzon area particularly po sa may northern Cagayan area,” (By May, we will experience hotter weather, temperatures will soar to around 40 degrees Celsius, particularly in Northern Luzon and the northern part of Cagayan, ),” Pagasa weather specialist Ana Liza Solis told Radyo Inquirer.

The state weather bureau recorded the highest heat index this year in Dagupan City, Pangasinan at 51.7 degrees Celsius.

READ: Heat index soars to 51.7 degrees Celsius in Dagupan City

Solis also identified “heat danger zones,” or areas in the country experiencing extreme heat that may pose dire health risks.

“Meron po tayo [heat danger zones] dahil ito [may] posibleng epekto ang heat index sa ating katawan so ibig sabihin mga lugar identified na natin,” Solis said.

The identified “heat danger zones” are North Cotabato and General Santos City in Mindanao; Tuguegarao City, Dagupan City, Nueva Ecija and Isabela in Northern and Central Luzon and Palawan and Occidental Mindoro in the Mimaropa region.

Solis explained that these areas have fewer trees and are valleys that “concentrates” the hot temperature.

“Dahil usually medyo kakaunti yung mga puno at dahil valley siya, talagang nag-co-concentrate yung init na araw,” she said.

The Department of Health previously warned the public against heatstroke even before PAGASA declared the start of the dry season.

Cases of heatstroke, which is considered a medical emergency, increase during hot and humid conditions, especially during exercise, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and when the body is dehydrated.

READ: DOH warns vs heatstroke in these hot, humid times

Meanwhile, Solis said local thunderstorms may prevail during the summer season. /gsg