AVOID HEAT STROKE, STAY INDOORS

EXPECT the month of April to be hotter than it was in March.

This is the warning of Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and advised residents of Dagupan City and Pangasinan to avoid suffering from heat stroke by staying indoors from mid-morning to mid-afternoon when  the sun is at its hottest, to drink plenty of water and to wear comfortable clothes.

As experienced by city residents, Dagupan sizzled anew on March 30 when it recorded 50ºC at 2:00 p.m.. But this was only the third highest heat index so far recorded  in the city since January this year, according to data coming from PAGASA.

The highest was the heat index recorded on March 17  at 53ºC while the second highest for the year  at 52ºC was recorded on March 12.

The 53ºC  recorded in Dagupan on March 17 duplicated the 53ºC logged in Dagupan on May 14, 2021.

The symptoms of heart stroke are (1) confusion, altered mental status , slurred speech; (2) loss of consciousness (coma); (3) Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating (4) Seizure (5) Very high body temperature; and (6) Fatal if treatment is delayed.

Health professionals said heat stroke usually occurs when people, especially the elderly and those with heart condition, have prolonged exposure under the burning sun so they can help themselves by always having a bottle of water with them and, cover their heads with hats and seek nearest shade whenever they are outdoor.

A weather specialist at PAGASA, Benison Estareja earlier said hot weather conditions are to be expected in Dagupan City because it is part of the Agno River Valley, same as Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and Echague in Isabela which are also experiencing hot temperatures as they are parts of the Cagayan Valley.

According to PAGASA, a heat index of 52ºC and above is considered “extremely dangerous” and a heat index of 51 degrees Celsius is considered “dangerous level” where heat cramps as well as heat exhaustion are possible.

A heat index is defined as a human discomfort index or the temperature as perceived by the human body. Air temperature is different from heat index as the latter is the measurement of how hot it is when a relative humidity is factored in with the actual temperature.

Heat index is at least 3ºC to 4ºC higher than the actual air temperature, PAGASA clarified.  (Leonardo Micua) 

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