Heat stroke downs Bogo fisherfolk

A 50-year old fisherman believed to have suffered heat stroke was found floating in barangay Sambag, Bogo City last Saturday afternoon.

Saturday’s temperature was recorded by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) to be highest so far this year in Cebu.

The Pagasa Mactan station recorded 33.2 degrees Celsius around noon time last Saturday.

The spike in summer temperature has prompted the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) to issue a heat stroke warning.

IPHO head, Dr. Cristina Giango is advising the public not to stay long under direct sunlight, wear light clothing and use umbrellas or hats when going out.

She also advised them to drink plenty of water, and avoid fatty and salty food.

In Bogo City in northern Cebu, police believe that Gerardo Acillo who was found floating and unconscious in barangay Sambag may have suffered heat stroke while collecting shells last Saturday afternoon.

He was brought to Verallo District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

Police though will still conduct post-mortem examination on Acillo’s body to determine the exact cause of his death.

Giango also advised those with hypertension and the elderly to forego the outdoors if possible.

Pagasa weather analyst Ella Comahig told Cebu Daily News that the downpour yesterday dawn was caused by the thick cumulonimbus clouds that have acquired a lot of moisture in the past days.

Comahig said it was a normal phenomenon because of the convection of warm air and cool air.

She also added that there’s a presence of an inter-tropical convergence zone in the Visayas and Mindanao area that is affecting the weather condition. /Carmel Loise Matus, Correspondent