May 1 heat index in Dagupan: 55 degrees centigrade
EXTREME DANGER LEVEL
AS “Pista’y Dayat” was being celebrated last May 1, Dagupan sizzled anew at 2 p.m., logging a heat index that reached the extreme danger level of 55 degrees centigrade, again the highest heat index ever recorded in the country that day.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geo-physical Astronomical Sciences Administration (PAGASA) said on the day thousands of people flocked to the beaches of the Lingayen Gulf from San Fabian to Bolinao and from Bolinao to Infanta facing the West Philippine Sea, the temperature was high at 35.2 degrees centigrade and the humidity was also high at 76 percent.
However, May 1, 2022 went down as having the second highest heat index ever recorded in the city since time immemorial. The record highest at 55.3 degrees centigrade was felt at 2 p.m. on May 9, 2016 or six years ago, the day when the temperature rose to 36.8 degrees centigrade while the humidity was at 65 percent.
The 55 degrees centigrade heat index was felt despite the driving rains the night before that disrupted the Kalutan ed Dalan along A.B. Fernandez Avenue and the crowd-drawer CSI Music and Arts Festival at CSI helipad in Lucao, and even caused flash flood along M.H. Del Pilar and Arellano Streets.
Another rain occurred on the night of May 1 and also the following night of May 2, which was a sign that La Niña still persists during the summer season.
Heat index is a human discomfort index that gives the apparent temperature in what the humans perceive or feel as the temperature (from the surroundings) affecting the body.
On April 30, a red letter day in Dagupan, was declared a special non-working holiday, the heat index was recorded at 50 degrees centigrade felt at 5:00 p.m., still within the danger level.
A heat index of 50 degrees or over is already under the extreme level and heat stroke may occur in people with health issues.
On account of persistent high heat index in the province, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) advised residents to stay indoor, when outside, seek shelter under the nearest shade, and to drink plenty of water. (Leonardo Micua)
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