HEAT BUSTER A woman crosses the Estrella-Pantaleon bridge in Makati City with an umbrella to protect her from the hot midday sun. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — Forty areas are expected to record “dangerous” level or above 42ºC (degrees Celsius) peak heat indices on Tuesday, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Based on Pagasa’s latest computed heat index forecast, Dagupan City in Pangasinan is expected to record the highest heat index for the day at 47ºC.
READ: Red Cross reminds public to stay hydrated amid high heat index
Meanwhile, the heat index in Metro Manila is expected to peak at 43ºC around the area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) in Pasay City.
According to Pagasa, the heat index is “a measure of the contribution that high humidity makes to abnormally high temperatures in reducing the body’s ability to cool itself.”
Once it ranges from 42ºC to 51ºC, Pagasa automatically tags it as part of the “danger category,” as it increases the risk for heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and even heat stroke.
Regarding the lowest heat indices, Baguio City and La Trinidad in Benguet are expected to peak at only 26ºC and 27ºC, respectively.
Below is the list of areas forecast to record a heat index of or above 42ºC in descending order:
- Dagupan City, Pangasinan – 47ºC
- Virac (Synop), Catanduanes – 46ºC
- CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur – 46ºC
- Roxas City, Capiz – 45ºC
- Catarman, Northern Samar – 45ºC
- Guiuan, Eastern Samar – 45ºC
- Butuan City, Agusan del Norte – 45ºC
- Laoag City, Ilocos Norte – 44ºC
- Bacnotan, La Union – 44ºC
- San Jose, Occidental Mindoro – 44ºC
- Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – 44ºC
- Cuyo, Palawan – 44ºC
- Legazpi City, Albay – 44ºC
- Masbate City, Masbate – 44ºC
- Iloilo City, Iloilo – 44ºC
- Naia Pasay City, Metro Manila – 43ºC
- Aparri, Cagayan – 43ºC
- ISU Echague, Isabela – 43ºC
- Baler (Radar), Aurora – 43ºC
- Casiguran, Aurora – 43ºC
- Aborlan, Palawan – 43ºC
- Dumangas, Iloilo – 43ºC
- Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte – 43ºC
- Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur – 43ºC
- Science Garden Quezon City, Metro Manila – 42ºC
- Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – 42ºC
- Iba, Zambales – 42ºC
- Clark Airport (DMIA), Pampanga – 42ºC
- CLZU Muñoz, Nueva Ecija – 42ºC
- Cubi Pt., Subic Bay Olongapo City – 42ºC
- Sangley Point, Cavite – 42ºC
- Ambulong, Tanauan Batangas – 42ºC
- Daet, Camarines Norte – 42ºC
- La Granja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental – 42ºC
- Catbalogan, Samar – 42ºC
- Tacloban City, Leyte – 42ºC
- Borongan, Eastern Samar – 42ºC
- Davao City, Davao del Sur – 42ºC
- Cotabato City, Maguindanao – 42ºC
- Surigao City, Surigao del Norte – 42ºC
Heat-related illnesses can be avoided by staying hydrated, avoiding sodas, iced tea, coffee and alcoholic drinks, wearing loose and light clothes, limiting outdoor activities, and wearing protection against the sun, such as caps, umbrellas and sunscreen.