BY ELLALYN DE VERA-RUIZ
The heat index, or temperature as perceived by the body, reached 60 degrees Celsius (°C) in Casiguran, Aurora on Monday, Aug. 14, based on the monitoring of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
For the fourth day in a row, PAGASA has recorded extremely dangerous heat indices in Casiguran: 53°C on Aug. 11, 53°C on Aug. 12, 59°C on Aug. 13, and 60°C on Aug. 14.
A heat index above 52°C indicates “extreme danger” because “heat stroke is imminent,” PAGASA said.
In addition to Casiguran, 16 other areas on Monday experienced “dangerous” heat indices: Calapan, Oriental Mindoro (45°C); NAIA, Pasay City (43°C); Dagupan City, Pangasinan (43°C); Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (43°C); Baler, Aurora (43°C); Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas (43°C); Alabat, Quezon (43°C); Daet, Camarines Norte (43°C); Virac, Catanduanes (43°C); Roxas City, Capiz (43°C); Calayan, Cagayan (42°C); Aparri, Cagayan (42°C); Iba, Zambales (42°C); CLSU Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (42°C); Sangley Point, Cavite (42°C); and San Jose, Occidental Mindoro (42°C).
PAGASA said a heat index ranging from 42°C to 51°C indicates impending “danger,” as “heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely,” and “heat stroke is probable with continued activity.”
In the next 24 hours, the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” may continue to bring scattered light to occasional heavy rains to Palawan, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi.
Meanwhile, the rest of the country will continue to experience partly cloudy to cloudy weather with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.
