Excess water spills from Buhisan dam in this 2013 photo. /CDN File Photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Mactan station recorded a temperature of 34.6 degrees Celsius and a heat index of at least 42 degrees Celsius on Black Saturday, the highest for the year so far.
Weather Specialist Vhan Singson said this explained why it still felt very hot then no matter how we fan ourselves.
Singson said that Cebuanos will continue to feel the heat next month as a result of weak El Niño.
Heat will continue to be felt in Cebu and the rest of the country in the the absence of any weather disturbance within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) that may bring rains, she added.
At 3 p.m. today, April 22, Pagasa Mactan station also recorded a temperature of 32.6 degrees Celsius and a heat index reaching 36 degrees Celsius.
“Mas dangerous ang heat index because that is the actual temperature that we humans perceive. Karon niubos na siya to 36 but katong niabot siya og 42 or 43, dangerous na gyud to siya,” said Singson.
The Department of Health said that extreme heat caused by the El Niño Phenomenon may result to heat cramps, heat exhaustion,e xertional heat injury and heat stroke.
But these can be avoided by continuously drinking water, wearing light clothes and by avoiding strenuous activities. /dcb