Metro Manila, 24 other areas to reach ‘dangerous’ heat index level

Children enjoy an afternoon dip and slide at Bustos Dam in Bustos, Bulacan province, on Sunday, April 30, 2023. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-five areas in the county, including Metro Manila, were forecast to have a heat index under the “danger” level on Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned.

READ: Dangerous heat index in 25 areas on Wednesday – Pagasa

Based on the state weather bureau’s heat index forecast as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the following places will have a heat index ranging from 42 to 45 degrees Celsius on May 9:

45 degrees Celsius

• Dagupan CIty, Pangasinan
• Virac, Catanduanes
• Roxas City, Capiz

44 degrees Celsius

• Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
• Aborlan, Palawan
• Cuyo, Palawan

43 degrees Celsius

• Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
• Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte
• Bacnotan, La Union
• Dumangas, Iloilo
• Guiuan, Eastern Samar

42 degrees Celsius

• Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Pasay City
• Sinait, Ilocos Sur
• Iba, Zambales
• Clark International Airport, Pampanga
• Central Luzon State University in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija
• Cubi Point in Subic Bay, Olongapo City
• San Jose, Occidental Mindoro
• Masbate City, Masbate
• Legazpi City, Albay
• Central Bicol State University of Agriculture in Pili, Camarines Sur
• Mambusao, Capiz
• Iloilo City, Iloilo
• Catarman, Northern Samar
• Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte

Pagasa defines heat index as “a measure of the contribution that high humidity makes to abnormally high temperatures in reducing the body’s ability to cool itself.”

Heat indices ranging from 42 to 51 degrees Celsius fall under the “danger” category.

READ: Cloud cluster in southern part of PAR may become weather disturbance

With drawn-out exposure, people exposed to these heat indices are prone to heat cramps, exhaustion, and even heat stroke.

To prevent the effects of roasting weather, Pagasa 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.

Pagasa 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 them sip cool water
• Remove clothing, apply cool water to the skin and provide ventilation
• Apply ice packs to the armpits, wrists, ankles, and groin
• Bring to a hospital immediately