Stay indoors and hydrate, according to Pagasa, as heat index reached “danger” level in several areas of the country on Friday, May 31, 2024. File photo / AP Photo/Bullit Marquez
MANILA, Philippines — Fifty areas in the country experienced heat indices ranging from 42 to 48 °C on Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
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.
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Below is the list of areas with dangerous heat indices based on Pagasa’s data as of 5 p.m.
48 °C
- Aparri, Cagayan
47 °C
- Roxas City, Capiz
- Guiuan, Eastern Samar
- Butuan City, Agusan del Norte
46 °C
- Bacnotan, La Union
- Alabat, Quezon
- Daet, Camarines Norte
- Virac, Catanduanes
- CBSUA in Pili, Camarines Sur
- Iloilo City, Iloilo
- Tacloban City, Leyte
45 °C
- NAIA, Pasay City
- Dagupan City, Pangasinan
- Calayan, Cagayan
- Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
- ISU in Echague, Isabela
- Iba, Zambales
- Sangley Point, Cavite
- Coron, Palawan
- San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
- Legazpi City, Albay
- Mambusao, Capiz
- Dumangas, Iloilo
- Catbalogan, Samar
- Maasin, Southern Leyte
- Zamboanga City
44 °C
- Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
- MMSU in Batac, Ilocos Norte
- Basco, Batanes
- CLSU in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
- Casiguran, Aurora
- Masbate City, Masbate
- Catarman, Northern Samar
- Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte
43 °C
- Baler, Aurora
- Cubi Point in Subic Bay, Olongapo City
- Calapan, Oriental Mindoro
- Juban, Sorsogon
- Borongan, Eastern Samar
- Surigao City, Surigao del Norte
42 °C
- Science Garden, Quezon City
- Sinait, Ilocos Sur
- Tayabas City, Quezon
- Ambulong in Tanauan, Batangas
- Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
- La Ganja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental
- Siquijor, Siqiujor
- VSU in Baybay, Leyte
- Laguindingan Airport, Misamis Oriental
- Cotabato City, Maguindanao
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.”
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To prevent the effects of the 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.
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.
- 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 him or her to a hospital immediately.