PAGASA: 30 areas under ‘dangerous’ heat index classification

 

Ian Laqui - Philstar.com

April 24, 2024 | 12:23pm

MANILA, Philippines — Thirty areas in the Philippines are expected to experience scorching temperatures of up to 46 °Celsius (°C) on Wednesday, state weather bureau PAGASA reported.

According to the latest heat index bulletin of the weather agency, 30 areas are forecast to fall under the "danger" heat index classification due to temperatures ranging from 42°C to 46°C.

CBSUA-Pili in Camarines Sur may experience a heat index as high as 46°C.

The following areas are expected to experience a "dangerous" heat index classification on Wednesday:

NAIA, Pasay City, Metro Manila: 44°C

Science Garden, Quezon City: 43°C

Dagupan City, Pangasinan: 45°C

Aparri, Cagayan: 45°C

Tugegarao City, Cagayan: 44°C

ISU Echague, Isabela: 42°C

Iba, Zambales: 42°C

CLSU Munoz, Nueva Ecija: 43°C

Baler (Radar), Aurora: 42°C

Casiguran, Aurora: 42°C

Sangley Point, Cavite: 43°C

Ambulong, Tanauan, Batangas: 42°C

Alabat, Quezon: 42°C

Coron, Palawan: 43°C

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro: 45°C

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan: 45°C

Aborlan, Palawan: 45°C

Daet, Camarines Norte: 42°C

Legazpi City, Albay: 43°C

Virac (Synop), Catanduanes: 43°C

Masbate City, Masbate: 43°C

CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur: 46°C

Roxas City, Capiz: 43°C

Iloilo City, Iloilo: 43°C

Dumangas, Iloilo: 42°C

La Granja, La Carlota, Negros Occidental: 42°C

Catarman, Northern Samar: 42°C

Catbalogan, Samar: 42°C

Tacloban City, Leyte: 42°C

Guiuan, Eastern Samar: 44°C

Meanwhile, most parts of the country are under the “extreme caution” classification, with temperatures ranging from 33°C to 41°C.

On Tuesday, PAGASA recorded the highest heat index recorded at 48 °C in Aparri, Cagayan.

Eid'l Fitr on April 10 declared a regular holiday

Members of the Muslim community near the Golden Mosque in Quiapo, Manila prepare for morning prayers in celebration of Eid’l Fitr, or the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Miguel De Guzman

Ian Laqui - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday declared April 10, 2024, Wednesday a regular holiday throughout the Philippines for the observance of the Islamic holiday of Eid'l Fitr. 

This has been declared through Proclamation No. 514 signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following the recommendation from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).

“WHEREAS, in order to bring the religious and cultural significance of the EidT Fitr to the fore of national consciousness, and to allow the entire Filipino nation to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in the observance and celebration of Eid Fitr, it is necessary to declare Wednesday, 10 April 2024, a regular holiday throughout the country,” the proclamation read. 

Eid'l Fitr is an Islamic holiday that marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.

The date of the said holiday is calculated following the sighting of the new moon by a moon sighting committee by the NCMF.

Heat index could hit 'danger' level in 14 areas on Good Friday, PAGASA warns

 

Ian Laqui - Philstar.com

March 29, 2024 | 11:23am

MANILA, Philippines — State weather bureau PAGASA reported on Good Friday that the heat index in 14 areas across the Philippines might reach "danger" levels.

In its 5 a.m. forecast on Thursday, the agency noted that certain areas could see a heat index soaring up to 44 degrees Celsius (°C).

The heat index, also referred to as the apparent temperature, factors in both relative humidity and the actual air temperature, providing a measure of how hot it feels.

Under the "danger" classification, temperatures range from 42°C to 51°C, posing risks of heat-related ailments such as heat cramps or heat exhaustion, as warned by PAGASA.

A heat stroke, on the other hand, might be also be probable with continued sun exposure.

The following are the areas under the “danger” level:

Roxas City, Capiz - 44 °C

Iloilo City, Iloilo - 44 °C

Dumangas, Iloilo - 43 °C

San Jose, Occidental Mindoro - 43 °C

Puerto Princesa, Palawan - 43 °C

Aborlan, Palawan - 43 °C

NAIA in Pasay City, Manila - 42 °C

Sangley Point, Cavite - 42 °C

Calapan, Oriental Mindoro - 42 °C

Coron, Palawan - 42 °C

Masbate City, Masbate - 42 °C

CBSUA Pili, Camarines Sur - 42 °C

Mambusao, Capiz - 42 °C

Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur - 42 °C

PAGASA advised the public to reduce outdoor activities, stay hydrated and avoid certain beverages to prevent heat-related illnesses.

The agency also advised the public to use umbrellas, hats, and wear sleeved clothing when outdoors, and to schedule strenuous activities for cooler times of the day.

The state weather bureau formally declared the beginning of the dry season on March 23, indicating the conclusion of the amihan, or prevailing northeast monsoon, which had led to decreased temperatures nationwide.

Phivolcs: Surigao del Sur aftershocks now over 1,500

This photo shows an aftermath of the Magnitude 7.4 quake in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Ian Laqui - Philstar.com

Hinatuan Local Government Unit / Released

MANILA, Philippines — Following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake which rocked Surigao del Sur on Saturday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Monday said that it has recorded 1,583 aftershocks so far.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said that the figures were logged as of 5 a.m. on Monday.

Meanwhile, Bacolcol said that the tsunami warning which was issued after the magnitude 7.4 earthquake has already been lifted according to Bacolcol.

He also said that the magnitude 6.8 Sarangani earthquake which occurred in November has no connection to the Surigao del Sur tremor.

“We have six active trenches and we have 175 active faults, so there is always a probability na puwedeng magkasabay," Bacolcol said in an interview with Teleradyo Serbisyo.

(We have six active trenches and we have 175 active faults, so there is always a probability that they can occur simultaneously).

“We’re part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, ineexpect na talaga natin yang marami tayong earthquakes, marami tayong active faults, marami tayong active volcanoes, and pwede magkasabay-sabay ‘yan,” he noted, highlighting that experiencing nearly 20 minor tremors a day is considered normal.

(We're part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, so we really expect to have many earthquakes, numerous active faults, plenty of active volcanoes, and those can happen simultaneously.)

He also cautioned the public that if a comparable magnitude 7.4 earthquake will occur along the West Valley Fault, it could result in 33,000 casualties in Metro Manila.

In a seperate interview with the STAR, Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said that the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that shook Surigao del Sur was undoubtedly a significant event that can be likened to the "Big One" that Metro Manila should adequately prepare for. 

“Magnitude 7.4 is a major earthquake," Solidum said.

As of writing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that the Surigao del Sur quake left one dead. It added that its field officers are validating the damage and number of people affected by the earthquake. — with reports from Bella Cariaso.