A horse-drawn carriage driver pours water on his horse as they take shelter under a tree along a road in Manila on April 24, 2024, as extreme heat affected the country. Extreme heat scorched the Philippines on April 24, forcing schools in some areas to suspend in-person classes and prompting warnings for people to limit the amount of time spent outdoors. (Photo by TED ALJIBE / Agence France-Presse)
MANILA, Philippines — Dagupan City in Pangasinan may experience a sweltering heat index of 49°C on Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned.
According to the state weather bureau, heat indices ranging from 42 to 51°C fall under the “danger” category.
With drawn-out exposure, people exposed to these heat indices are prone to heat cramps, exhaustion, and even heat stroke.
READ: After sizzling at 53°C, dangerous heat index to continue in Zambales
Below is the list of other areas in the country, including Metro Manila, that were forecast to have a hazardous heat index on April 30:
- Aparri, Cagayan – 47°C
- Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – 46°C
- Laoag City, Ilocos Norte – 45°C
- Bacnotan, La Union – 45°C
- Iba, Zambales – 45°C
- Coron, Palawan – 45°C
- Aborlan, Palawan – 45 °C
- Central Bicol State University of Agriculture in Pili, Camarines Sur – 45°C
- San Jose, Occidental Mindoro – 44°C
- Dumangas, Iloilo – 44°C
- Iloilo City, Iloilo – 44°C
- Virac, Catanduanes – 44°C
- Central Luzon State University in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija – 44°C
- Isabela State University in Echague, Isabela – 44°C
- Cubi Point in Subic Bay, Olongapo City – 44°C
- Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur – 43°C
- Guiuan, Eastern Samar – 43°C
- Roxas City, Capiz – 43°C
- Mambusao, Capiz – 43°C
- Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – 43°C
- Masbate City, Masbate – 43°C
- Clark International Airport, Pampanga – 43°C
- Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte – 43°C
- Calayan, Cagayan – 42°C
- Nueva Vizcaya State University in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya – 42°C
- Sangley Point, Cavite – 42°C
- Barangay Ambulong in Tanauan, Batangas – 42°C
- Daet, Camarines Norte – 42°C
- Legazpi City, Albay – 42°C
- Catarman, Northern Samar – 42°C
- Catbalogan, Samar – 42°C
- Tacloban City, Leyte – 42°C
- Science Garden, Quezon City – 42°C
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City – 42°C
The state weather bureau defines heat index as “a measure of the contribution that high humidity makes to abnormally high temperatures in reducing the body’s ability to cool itself.”
To prevent the effects of roasting weather, Pagasa said the public must limit time spent outdoors; drink plenty of water; avoid tea, coffee, soda, and liquor; use umbrellas, wear hats, and wear sleeved clothing outdoors; and schedule heavy-duty activities on the cooler periods of the day.
READ: 51°C heat index recorded in Dagupan City, over 42°C in 32 other areas
It noted that symptoms of heat-related illnesses include heavy sweating, exhaustion or fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness, blacking out or feeling dizzy when standing, a weak but fast pulse, nausea, and vomiting.
In cases of emergency, Pagasa advised the public to do the following:
- Move the person to a shady spot and lie him or her down with legs elevated
- If conscious, have them sip cool water
- Remove clothing, apply cool water to the skin, and provide ventilation
- Apply ice packs to the armpits, wrists, ankles, and groin
- Bring to a hospital immediately