DANGEROUSLY HOT. The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office warns Pangasinenses against heat cramps, exhaustion, and heat stroke as the heat index in the province hits 53 degrees Celsius on Friday (May 14, 2021). This is the highest temperature this year in the province recorded by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. (PNA photo by Hilda Austria)
DAGUPAN CITY – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) logged on Friday a dangerous 53 degrees Celsius heat index in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, the highest temperature in the province this year.
Chief meteorological officer Jose Estrada Jr. of the PAGASA station here, in an interview, said the high heat index was due to the easterlies prevailing at the east Pacific sea surface affecting the temperature in the province.
“Almost lahat na earth surface ay may concrete kaya narerefract init na nagpapataas sa heat index (Almost all of earth’s surface is now concreted thus heat is refracted increasing the heat index),” he said.
The high heat index also results in localized thunderstorms, Estrada said.
He added the presence of southwest monsoon (Habagat) next month is expected to lower the temperature in the province.
“For now, let us make some mitigations like staying hydrated, avoiding direct sunlight, and rigorous activities under the sun,” he said.
Estrada 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 affects negatively the marine lives in fish pens and cages. (PNA)
