‘Extreme caution’ heat index logged in several areas

MANILA, Philippines — After the cold snap, several areas have reached border “extreme caution” heat index temperatures following the continued weakening of the northeast monsoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

Under the “extreme caution” index, which ranges from 33 to 41 degrees Celsius, people may experience heat cramps and heat exhaustion and continuous physical activity may lead to heat stroke.

Cotabato City and Zamboanga City are near peak and may reach 40 degrees Celsius heat index.

Meanwhile, Dagupan City in Pangasinan and Borongan in Eastern Samar may reach 39 degrees Celsius, while Catarman in Northern Samar, Dipolog in Zamboanga del Norte and Iloilo City will reach 38 degrees Celsius.

PAGASA said Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Apayao and Cagayan will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains caused by the northeast monsoon while Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon and the Visayas will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms caused by the easterlies.?In Mindanao, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or localized thunderstorms are forecast.

The state weather bureau has not spotted any low-pressure area for possible tropical cyclone formation.