Pagasa warns of heat cramps, exhaustion, stroke as heat index hits 50 °C

MANILA, Philippines — As blistering temperature persists across the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has warned the public about imminent dangers of sweltering weather.

Pagasa’s word of caution comes as Sangley Point in Cavite City again registered a 50 °C heat index around 2 p.m. Saturday. 

Heat indices ranging between 41 °C and 54 ºC are considered “dangerous” as such temperatures may result in heat cramps and heat exhaustion, even heatstroke, with continued physical activity, according to the state weather bureau’s Twitter post.

On Friday, Sangley Point likewise posted a 50 °C heat index at 2 p.m.

Meanwhile, Pagasa said searing temperatures were also recorded Saturday at the Science City of Muñoz with 49 °C; Clark in Pampanga and Dagupan City with 46 °C; and Davao City, Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, and Zamboanga City with 45 °C.

Heat cramps are muscle spasms that occur when large amounts of salt and water in the body are lost due to exercise.

A high profile case of cramps due to exercise was when LeBron James cramped up in Game 1 of the 2014 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs when base temperatures inside the AT&T Center reached more than 32 °C after the facility’s air conditioning system malfunctioned.

His physical activity coupled with the humidity inside the building forced him to be sidelined after his body stiffed up.