PAG-ASA NOTIFIES THE PUBLIC OF THE DANGERS CAUSED BY THE EXTREME HEAT, WHICH ARE MORE SERIOUS THAN EVER
As the country transitions from the cold and rainy season to the warm and dry season, the temperature rises, as do the risks connected with hot, sunny days, such as their effects on people's health and the economy. PAG-ASA recorded the highest computed heat index of 50°C in Legazpi City, Albay, at approximately 11:00 a.m. on May 12, 2023. Fourteen sites reached the temperature range that falls under the danger level in the effect-based classification, while the remaining stations, except for Baguio, have reached the extreme caution level.
As such phenomenon happens in the Philippines occasionally, the public must recognize the risks and dangers of being overly exposed to extreme heat. Extreme heat can cause heat-related disorders such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, sunburn, rash, and potentially fatal heatstroke. The average body temperature of a person is at or below 37°C. The body avoids overheating when the ambient temperature is higher than usual via perspiring or "evaporative cooling."
Sweating, though, is insufficient in some situations. These conditions, such as excessive humidity, can cause a person's body temperature to increase quickly, endangering the brain or other vital organs.
Applying sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every two hours and drinking enough water can be beneficial preventative steps for dealing with the hot weather. Wearing airy or light-weight clothing, avoiding sitting in a hot car, and limiting activity time until one has been accustomed to a hotter atmosphere are some recommendations for people. Additionally, individuals should refrain from engaging in strenuous activity in such conditions or do so during the cooler hours of the day. They should also shut the windows, drapes, and any electrical devices and lights that can increase the room's temperature.
Source/s:
PAGASA. (2023, May 12). PAGASA. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/climate/climate-heat-index
Cabrera, R. (n.d.). PAGASA Issues Extreme Heat Danger Alert. Philstar.com. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/03/30/2255595/pagasa-issues-extreme-heat-danger-alert
Ng, G. (2023, April 3). Extreme Heat in the Philippines: The Impact on Health. Medical Channel Asia. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://medicalchannelasia.com/extreme-heat-in-the-philippines-the-impact-on-health/