By Hilda Austria | Philippine News Agency
DAGUPAN CITY – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) logged on Thursday (March 17) a dangerous 53 degrees Celsius heat index in this city and this might continue during the dry season.
Chief meteorological officer Jose Estrada Jr. of the PAGASA station here attributed the high heat index to the easterlies prevailing at the east Pacific sea surface affecting the temperature in the province.
“Isa sa mga factors ay dahil malapit tayo sa dagat and almost lahat na earth surface ay may concrete kaya narerefract init na nagpapataas sa heat index (One of the factors is because we are near oceans and almost all of earth’s surface is now concrete, thus, heat is refracted which increases the heat index),” he said in an interview on Friday.
Estrada said this might continue until the middle of May when the southwest monsoon comes, bringing the rainy season.
He warned that the high heat index may cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke that might endanger a person’s life.
He added the prevailing heat index also negatively affects the marine life in fish pens and cages.
“For now, let us make some mitigations like staying hydrated, avoiding direct sunlight, and rigorous activities under the sun. Those working under the sun should take a shelter into sheds, especially between 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.,” he said.
Estrada said the high heat index also results in localized thunderstorms.
“Because of the heat, the clouds easily form and bring thunderstorms,” he added. (PNA)
-ag
