Dangerous heat index forecast in 34 areas on Thursday

MANILA, Philippines—Despite the onset of the rainy season, the state weather bureau warned that 34 areas in the country are still likely to experience heat indices below the “danger” level on Thursday.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the following areas were forecast to have heat indices ranging from 42°C to 45  °C on June 6:

45 °C 

• Masbate City, Masbate
• Maasin, Southern Leyte
• Butuan City, Agusan del Norte

44 °C 

• Dagupan City, Pangasinan
• Bacnotan, La Union
• Aparri, Cagayan
• Roxas City, Capiz
• Dumangas, Iloilo
• Catarman, Northern Samar
• Surigao City, Surigao del Norte

43 °C 

• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
• ISU in Echague, Isabela
• Daet, Camarines Norte
• Virac, Catanduanes
• Juban, Sorsogon
• Iloilo City, Iloilo
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar
• Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte
• Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Peninsula

42 °C 

• Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
• Iba, Zambales
• CLSU in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
• Baler, Aurora
• Casiguran, Aurora
• Aborlan, Palawan
• Cuyo, Palawan
• Legazpi City, Albay
• CBSUA in Pili, Camarines Sur
• Mambusao, Capiz
• Mactan International Airport, Cebu
• Siquijor, Siquijor
• Catbalogan, Samar
• Tacloban City, Leyte
• Borongan, Eastern Samar

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.”

The heat index, according to the US National Weather Service, is also known as the apparent temperature, or what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.

“This has important considerations for the human body’s comfort.  When the body gets too hot, it begins to perspire or sweat to cool itself off.”

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

To prevent the ill effects of the intense heat,  Pagasa said the public must limit time spent outdoors, stay hydrated, avoid tea, coffee, soda, and liquor; use umbrellas, hats, and sleeved clothing outdoors, and schedule strenuous activities on the cooler periods of the day.

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 area 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