Metro Manila, 26 other areas to reach ‘dangerous’ heat index level

NO BEACH, NO PROBLEM Children enjoy a dip in an inflatable pool on Pasong Tirad in Makati City in this photo taken last week as the weather bureau declared the beginning of the dry season. Officials have also warned about the impact of El Niño on water supply as the heat index continues to rise in different parts of the country. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-seven areas, including Metro Manila, were forecast to have a heat index under the “danger” level on Saturday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned.

READ: Pagasa: Dry season temperature may have already peaked

Below is the list of places where heat indices ranging from 42 to 46 °C were likely to be experienced.

46 °C

• Virac, Catanduanes

45 °C

• Dagupan City, Pangasinan

44 °C

• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
• Aparri, Cagayan
• Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
• Roxas City, Capiz

43 °C

• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• Isabela State University in Echague, Isabela
• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
• Central Bicol State University of Agriculture in Pili, Camarines Sur
• Dumangas, Iloilo
• Catarman, Northern Samar
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar

42 °C

• Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City
• Sinait, Ilocos Sur
• Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte
• Iba, Zambales
• Cubi Point in Subic Bay, Olongapo City
• Sangley Point, Cavite
• Cuyo, Palawan
• Legazpi City, Albay
• Masbate City, Masbate
• Iloilo City, Iloilo
• Catbalogan, Samar
• Tacloban City, Leyte
• Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur
• Davao City, Davao del Sur

According to Pagasa, heat index is “a measure of the contribution that high humidity makes with abnormally high temperatures in reducing the body’s ability to cool itself.”

Heat indices ranging from 42 to 51 degrees Celsius fall under the “danger” category, and people exposed to these heat indices are prone to heat cramps, exhaustion, and even heat stroke with drawn-out exposure.

To prevent the effects of roasting weather, the state weather bureau 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: PH may experience similar warm dry months next year, says Pagasa

It also 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 the person sip cool water and remove clothing
• Apply cool water to the skin and provide ventilation
• Apply ice packs to the armpits, wrists, ankles, and groin

If the condition of the person worsens, bring the person to a hospital immediately.