The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Pasay City and Quezon City in Metro Manila will experience a danger level heat index of 42 degrees Celsius today.
Heat index is defined by PAGASA as the “measure of the contribution that high humidity makes with abnormally high temperatures in reducing the body’s ability to cool itself.”
A heat index ranging from 42 to 51 degrees has been classified by the weather bureau under the danger level. Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely to be experienced by residents, while heat stroke is possible under this condition.
PAGASA said Masbate City in Masbate province is expected to feel extremely hot with a heat index of 45 degrees, while a scorching 45 degrees will be felt in Infanta town in Quezon, Puerto Princesa City and Aborlan town in Palawan, and Pili town in Camarines Sur.
Five areas will have a heat index of 44 degrees Celsius. These are Dagupan City in Pangasinan, Aparri town in Cagayan, Virac town in Catanduanes, Catarman town in Northern Samar, and Guian town in Eastern Samar.
Seven areas – – Bacnotan in La Union, Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, Echague town in Isabela, Legazpi City in Albay, Juban town in Sorsogon, and Iloilo City and Dumangas town in Iloilo will have a 43 degrees heat index.
Aside from Pasay and Quezon cities, six other areas will have a 42 degrees heat index, the PAGASA said.
These are Iba town in Zambales, Clark Airport in Pampanga, Muñoz town in Nueva Ecija, Sangley Point in Cavite, San Jose town in Occidental Mindoro, and Roxas City in Capiz.
STATE OF CALAMITY
Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Council has adopted a resolution putting the city under a state of calamity due to water scarcity amid the El Niño phenomenon.
In a statement, the city government said the move was recommended by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
The declaration clears the way for the utilization of the city’s Calamity Fund, amounting to P12.5 million, for the procurement and delivery of water to affected areas.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 58 cities and towns have been placed under a state of calamity due to El Niño as of April 20.
The NDRRMC said 41 of these areas are from the provinces of Sultan Kudarat, Antique and Oriental Mindoro, which have declared provincial-wide state of calamity.
The rest are cities and towns in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Soccsksargen, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Cordillera Administrative Region.
Data from the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center show that damage to the agriculture sector due to El Niño has jumped 49.8 percent to P3.94 billion from P2.63 billion last April 1.
The DA attached agency said that as of April 16, equivalent to 66,065 hectares (ha) of areas tended by 77,713 farmers in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao and Soccsksargen have been affected by the weather phenomenon.
This is equivalent to a total volume loss of 162,793 metric tons (MT).
It placed damage to rice at 98,243 MT worth P2.36 billion; high-value crops, 24,102 MT worth P868.84 million; corn, 40,195 MT worth P669.44 million; 102 heads of livestock and poultry worth P6.95 million; and 38 MT of cassava worth P497,900.
Impact on fisheries is felt by 2,261 fisherfolk with P33.83 million worth of damage.
HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES
The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said 34 cases of heat-related illness have been as of April 18, 2024 amid the sizzling heat being felt in different parts of the country.
“There are 34 cases of heat-related illness reported in the DOH Event-based Surveillance and Response (ESR) system from January 1 – April 18, 2024,” said the DOH.
Of the 34 cases with heat-related illnesses, the health department said there were six deaths. “The causes of death are still for verification,” it said.
Most of the heat-related cases were from Central Visayas, Ilocos Region, and Soccsksargen.
Amid the high heat index forecast of the PAGASA, the health department reiterated its advisory to prevent heat-related illnesses, such as drinking enough water, wearing loose and light clothing, limiting outdoor exposure between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., wearing of caps, and using sunblock and umbrella.
On the other hand, first aid for those experiencing symptoms of heat-related illnesses include staying in shaded areas, use of cold compress to help cool down the body, slowly drinking cold water, and seeking of medical treatment. — With Gerard Naval
