49 °C heat index bakes Guiuan, Eastern Samar

MANILA, Philippines — The heat index in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, reached a dangerous and scorching 49 °C on Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Based on the state weather bureau’s computed heat index data as of 5:00 p.m. on May 22, the following areas also logged dangerous heat indices ranging from 42 to 47 °C:

47 °C

• Dagupan City, Pangasinan
• Aparri, Cagayan

46 °C

• Dumangas, Iloilo

45 °C

• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
• Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
• Cuyo, Palawan
• Roxas City, Capiz
• Iloilo City, Iloilo
• Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

44 °C

• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• Iba, Zambales
• Sangley Point, Cavite
• Ambulong in Tanauan, Batangas
• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
• Aborlan, Palawan
• Virac, Catanduanes
• La Granja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental
• Catarman, Northern Samar
• Maasin, Southern Leyte
• Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte

43 °C

• MMSU in Batac, Ilocos Norte
• ISU in Echague, Isabela
• Casiguran, Aurora
• Alabat, Quezon
• Coron, Palawan
• Masbate City, Masbate
• Siquijor, Siquijor

42 °C

• Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City
• Sinait, Ilocos Sur
• Bacnotan, La Union
• Calayan, Cagayan
• Cubi Point in Subic Bay, Olongapo City
• Calapan, Oriental Mindoro
• Daet, Camarines Norte
• Mambusao, Capiz
• Catbalogan, Samar
• Zamboanga City
• CMU Argomet, Musuan, Bukidnon

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.”

The US National Weather Service describes heat index as “the apparent temperature, what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.”

Heat indices ranging from 42 °C to 51 °C fall under the “danger” category, and people exposed to these heat indices are prone to heat cramps, exhaustion, and even heat stroke.

To prevent the effects of the intense heat, weather, Pagasa advised the public to limit time spent outdoors, ensure adequate hydration, avoid tea, coffee, soda and liquor, use umbrellas, hats and sleeved clothing outdoors and schedule strenuous activities on the cooler periods of the day.

It also noted that symptoms of heat-related illnesses include heavy sweating, exhaustion or fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness, passing out or feeling dizzy when standing, a weak but rapid pulse, nausea, and vomiting.

In case of emergency, Pagasa advised the public to do the following:

• Move the person to a shaded spot and lie him or her down with legs elevated
• If conscious, have the person sip cool water
• Remove extra layers of 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 him or her to hospital immediately