Metro Manila heat index soars to 43 C

Inquirer file

The National Capital Region sizzled on Thursday afternoon as the heat index soared to a dangerous 43 degrees Celsius, the state weather bureau said.

The heat index or the human discomfort index, often called the “init factor,” is the temperature felt by the body based on air temperature and humidity. Normal body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius.

A heat index of at least 41 degrees Celsius, considered the “danger” level when heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke are possible with continued activity under the sun.

Actual temperature in the metropolis also reached a scorching 36.4 degrees Celsius, the highest so far this year.

The highest heat index since the onset of the dry season in March was recorded on Monday in Nueva Ecija at 51 degrees Celsius. Heat index in Cabanatuan reached 47.7 degrees Celsius today. YG/TVJ