The heat is on: Heat index soars to 45.9 degrees Celsius in Aurora

MANILA, Philippines — The heat index on Wednesday soared to ‘dangerous’ levels in 11 areas in the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

It peaked at 45.9 degrees Celsius in Casiguran, Aurora at around 2p.m.

According to Pagasa, heat index is the “apparent temperature or what humans perceive or feel as the temperature affecting the body.”

A heat index of 41°C or higher is considered dangerous and poses health risks.

The heat index likewise reached dangerous levels in the following areas:

Ambulong, Batangas (44.6 degrees)

Sangley Point, Cavite (43.2 degrees).

Guiuan, Eastern Samar (42.6 degrees)

Pasay City, Metro Manila (42.5 degrees)

Cuyo, Palawan (42.3 degrees)

San Jose City, Occidental Mindoro (42.3 degrees)

Roxas City, Capiz (42 degrees)

Cotabato City, Maguindanao (41.6 degrees)

Daet, Camarines Norte (41.6 degrees)

Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (41.3 degrees)

Residents of affected areas may experience cramps and heat exhaustion, while heat stroke is probable for individuals engaged in continuous activities.

Pagasa is not expecting heat index to reach dangerous levels from April 18 to 22 based on its five-day heat index forecast. / gsg