Searing heat, dry spell grip provinces amid ‘super’ El Niño threat
Parts of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao are experiencing a dangerous combination of extreme heat, unstable weather, water shortages, and early El Niño-related impacts, as the state weather bureau and local disaster response offices issued a series of warnings and special forecasts across the country.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecast the heat index to hit “danger” level in several areas across the country on Monday, while Metro Manila’s heat index is seen to reach 40 to 41 degrees Celsius.
Pagasa defines heat index as the apparent temperature, or what humans perceive or feel like the temperature affecting their body. It measures the level of discomfort an average person experiences due to combined effects of the temperature and air humidity.
The heat index is classified by Pagasa under the following categories: “caution” for 27 C to 32 C; “extreme caution” for 33 C to 41 C; “danger” for 42 to 51 C; and “extreme danger” for 52 C and above.
The weather bureau’s monitoring on Monday morning showed that Dumangas in Iloilo would reach the highest heat index for the day at 45 C.
The other areas forecast to experience dangerous heat indices were: Sangley Point in Cavite at 44 C; Iloilo City, La Granja in La Carlota (Negros Occidental), and Guiuan in Eastern Samar at 43 C; and Iba in Zambales, San Ildefonso in Bulacan, San Jose in Occidental Mindoro, and Puerto Princesa City and Cuyo in Palawan at 42 C.
Water supply
In Baguio City, the local government has begun early preparations for a possible prolonged dry spell as experts warn that El Niño could intensify into a “super El Niño.”
The city is focusing on water conservation, contingency planning, and coordination with national agencies to mitigate impacts on water supply and essential services.
In Pangasinan, heat index levels surged to 46 C, with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office warning of extreme heat risks and urging residents to stay hydrated and protected from the sun.
Zambales also experienced dangerous conditions, with the capital town of Iba reaching 42 C.
Authorities warned that peak heat conditions occur during midday to afternoon hours and advised the public to limit outdoor exposure, drink plenty of water, and wear light clothing.
In the Visayas, Pagasa said northern Cebu and Mt. Kanlaon may reach heat index levels up to 39 C under extreme caution, while Lambunao, Iloilo, could hit 40 C, posing risks of heat-related illness.
In Calbayog, the heat index was forecast to reach 43 C, worsened by an 18-hour power outage that left residents without cooling during peak hours.
In Mindanao, Butuan City continues to struggle with a worsening water shortage as the Taguibo watershed, its main source, drops to critically low levels.
In Malaybalay City, Bukidnon, forest and grass fires continue to affect upland barangays due to intense heat and dry conditions.
Malacañang on Monday said concerned government agencies are prepared for El Niño phenomenon.
Gov’t prepared
“El Niño is something we have already experienced—it is not new—so the [Department of Agriculture] is prepared with concrete measures to mitigate its effects. The National Irrigation Administration has been instructed to further identify areas that will be affected by water shortages, including those covered by [irrigation] systems,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a briefing. —REPORTS FROM YOLANDA SOTELO, JOANNA ROSE AGLIBOT, ARMAND GALANG, HAZEL VILLA, JOEY GABIETA, BONG SARMIENTO, CHRIS PANGANIBAN, MEL VELEZ, MARY JOY SALCEDO, LUISA CABATO AND INQUIRER RESEARCH
