Pagasa warns of 42 degrees Celsius heat in 14 areas
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) warned the public of dangerous heat levels in 14 areas around the country as local governments stepped up measures to deal with their dwindling water supply.
The state weather bureau considers heat index levels between 42 degrees Celsius and 51 C as dangerous and suggests significant risks of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Pagasa forecast a peak heat index of 45 C in Dumangas in Iloilo and Butuan City in Agusan del Norte, while 12 other areas are expected to experience temperatures ranging from 42 C to 44 C.
The 12 other areas are San Ildefonso in Bulacan (43 C), Sangley Point in Cavite (42 C), Aborlan in Palawan (44 C), Roxas City in Capiz (42 C), Mamburao in Capiz (42 C), Iloilo City in Iloilo (43 C), La Carlota in Negros Occidental (44 C), Catbalogan in Western Samar (43 C), Baybay in Leyte (42 C), Borongan in Eastern Samar (44 C), Guiuan in Eastern Samar (42 C) and Cotabato City in Maguindanao del Norte (43 C).
Most other areas across the country were classified under “extreme caution” (33 C to 41 C), while the lowest expected heat index is in highland areas, like Benguet, ranging from 19 C to 20 C.
The weather bureau warned residents to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, avoiding alcohol or caffeine, wearing loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing and using broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+) to prevent sunburn, avoiding strenuous activity during peak heat hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and never leaving children or pets in parked cars.
Pagasa issued the warning as a few local governments started rationing water amid warnings of dwindling water supply.
In highly urbanized Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, the local government is preparing to implement contingency measures drafted since April 16.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has prepared water tanks and deployed water trucks to augment rationing efforts in areas with limited or no access to water.
PrimeWater Bacolod City reported that its overall production capacity has decreased from 100 million liters per day (MLD) to 87 MLD, with further reductions expected as the heat persists.
The utility firm also noted that supply from Bacolod Bulk Water Inc. in the city’s northern areas has dropped significantly from 24 MLD to 16 MLD. Supply further plummeted to 11 MLD due to ongoing repairs for pipeline leakages and reservoir damage, bringing the total reduction in the north to 13 MLD.
The firm stated that water delivery is being prioritized for villages currently without supply, including Villamonte, Estefania and Taculing.
In Iligan City in Lanao del Norte, the city government has been distributing water since April 7 to about 15,000 to 20,000 households because of a burst water pipe.
The Iligan City Waterworks System, run by the city, said the shutdown was an emergency, but it also revealed other water pipes that needed to be repaired or replaced.
