Heat index could reach ‘extreme danger’ level of 57 degrees Celsius

MANILA, Philippines — The heat index in the Philippines could reach an “extreme danger” level of 57 degrees Celsius after Iba, Zambales on Sunday recorded 53 degrees Celsius, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

The highest extreme danger heat index of 57 degrees Celsius was recorded on April 20, 2020 in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, PAGASA Impact Assessment and Application Section officer-in-charge Meliton Guzman recalled.

Aside from San Jose, the highest heat index recorded was in Dagupan City, Pangasinan on May 9, 2016 at 55 degrees Celsius and in Aparri, Cagayan on May 18, 2021 at 54 degrees Celsius, based on PAGASA’s records from 2010 to 2023.

In Metro Manila, the heat index could reach 48 degrees Celsius after 45 degrees Celsius was recorded on April 27, Guzman said.

Meanwhile, more than 40 areas will experience a “danger” level heat index today as El Niño and the dry season continue to affect the Philippines, according to the state weather bureau.

The heat index in Dagupan City, Pangasinan could reach 46 degrees Celsius, PAGASA said. Dagupan City’s heat index yesterday reached 51 degrees Celsius.

Aparri and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, Coron and Aborlan in Palawan and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro could experience extreme heat at 45 degrees Celsius.

In Metro Manila, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport could experience a 44 degrees Celsius heat index, PAGASA noted.

On April 28, Iba, Zambales recorded an “extreme danger” (52 degrees Celsius and above) heat index of 53 degrees Celsius, the highest so far this year, PAGASA said.

Extreme heat will persist until the second week of May, PAGASA noted.

Other areas that could experience a dangerous heat index (between 42 and 51 degrees Celsius) today are Laoag City, Ilocos Norte; Echague, Isabela; Baler and Casiguran, Aurora; Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas; Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Virac, Catanduanes; Iloilo City and Dumangas, Iloilo at 44 degrees Celsius.

Science Garden in Quezon City; Sinait, Ilocos Sur; Batac, Ilocos Norte; Bacnotan, La Union; iba, Zambales; Clark Airport, Pampanga; Subic Bay, Olongapo City; Sangley Point, Cavite; Legazpi, Albay; Pili, Camarines Sur; Roxas City and Mambusao, Capiz; La Carlota, Negros Occidental and Guian, Eastern Samar could record 43 degrees Celsius.

Bayombong, Nueva Ecija; Tayabas City and Alabat, Quezon; Daet, Camarines Sur; Masbate City, Masbate; Tacloban City, Leyte; Maasin, Southern Leyte; Zamboanga City and Butuan, Agusan del Norte could experience 42 degrees Celsius.

State of calamity

South Cotabato is the seventh province to declare a state of calamity due to El Niño, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said yesterday.

Other provinces that have declared a state of calamity are Occidental Mindoro, Antique, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and Basilan. — Pia Lee-Brago