The Philippines is currently facing intense heat due to a combination of the El Niño weather phenomenon and the usual hot and dry conditions prevalent during March, April, and May. The heat index, which measures the combined effect of temperature and humidity, reached a scorching 47 degrees Celsius (116.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in Cavite province south of Manila on Tuesday. Erlin Tumaron, a 60-year-old worker at a seaside resort in Cavite, described the heat as unbearable, saying, “It’s so hot you can’t breathe.” Despite the extreme heat, the resort’s pools remain empty, as locals are hesitant to venture outside due to the oppressive conditions.
Ana Solis, chief climatologist at the state weather forecaster, warned that there is a 50 percent chance of the heat intensifying in the coming days. She urged residents to limit their time outdoors, drink plenty of water, and seek shade when necessary. El Niño, a natural climate pattern characterized by abnormally warm ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, is responsible for the extreme heat affecting the Philippines. Around half of the country’s provinces are currently experiencing drought conditions.
In the northern municipality of Aparri, the heat index reached 48 degrees on Tuesday, the highest in the country. The actual maximum air temperature was 36.4 degrees on Tuesday, with 35 degrees forecast for Wednesday. Eric Vista of the municipal disaster agency said a brief shower of rain on Tuesday night provided temporary relief, but the heat returned with full force on Wednesday.
The sweltering temperatures in the capital Manila have forced many schools to switch to remote learning. The heat index reached 45 degrees on Tuesday and was expected to hit 44 degrees on Wednesday. Tuesday’s actual high in the city was 37.1 degrees. In Dagupan city, north of Manila, university employee Edz Alteros said that she and her colleagues have stopped going out for lunch due to the heat. The heat index there reached 47 degrees on Tuesday. They now have someone buy food for them so they can eat inside the office, where the air conditioning is set at 14 to 18 degrees during the hottest part of the day.
