SUN PROTECTION. Visitors at the Bacarra museum in Ilocos Nort are encouraged to use umbrellas while outside of the building to help limit sun exposure in this undated photo. The heat index in some parts of the province hit 41 degrees Celsius on Monday (April 1, 2024). (Photo by Leilanie Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) advises the public to stay indoors and be well-hydrated as the heat index reached 41 degrees Celsius in some parts of the province Monday noon.
The weather bureau defines heat index as how a person perceives a temperature feels like because of high humidity and high air temperature.
“Be extra cautious with the rising temperature. Drink plenty of water and stay home,” Engineer Cynthia Iglesia, chief meteorological officer of the Laoag Synop Airport Upper Air Station, said in an interview.
Amidst the high temperature outside, Avelina Camacho, 72, of Poblacion, Bacarra town, spent some time out of her house but under the canopy of trees after their area experienced power interruption during the day.
“We do not have an air-conditioning unit in the old house (located in the town proper) so I am considering building a small kubo (nipa hut) in the village where the air is fresh,” she said.
With the rising temperatures, health experts, in a public advisory Monday, said heat stroke, sunburn, heat rash, dehydration, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion are possible with prolonged exposure to sun and or other outdoor activities.
To minimize heat exposure, Arnel Viernes, a trike driver from Barangay 9 Sta. Angela, Laoag City, in an interview, said he tries to avoid fetching passengers between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
“Sometimes, I prefer to work late in the evening than working at daytime,” he said, noting that drivers like him are prone to heat stroke.
Lilian Rin, a retired provincial government personnel from Camanggaan village in this city told the Philippine News Agency that she and her husband prefer to stay at home in an air-conditioned room to avoid heat exhaustion.
“It costs us higher electricity bills when we stay indoors but it is better this way than getting sick,” she said. (PNA)
