EDITORIAL | Sizzling Summer: Rising Heat Index in the Philippines
Bernadette Trinidad
Apr 27, 2024
3 min read
The rising heat index is no joke. We literally experience the line in Taylor Swift's song Cruel Summer: "Fever dream high in the quiet of the night" because whether it is morning or evening, the temperature stays the same—it is fever high. Hence, it is important to stay hydrated and fresh as we go under the sun.
What a cruel summer in the Philippines. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration's advanced forecasts urge several areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao to prepare for extremely hot weather ranging from a heat index of 41 (°C) to 51 (°C). This news is not groundbreaking for Filipinos as it has become an “old hat” to us.
The heat index refers to the temperature a person feels inside the body in reaction to the natural temperature, not the air temperature or humidity. In line with this, PAGASA states that El Niño adds to the causes of extremely hot feels. This brings below-normal rainfall conditions, drought, and dry spells that we currently observe. Indeed, the month of April is going to be a hot one.
Apart from that, climate change is mostly to blame. It has been causing an increase in world temperature and breaking-the-record heat waves in many countries. Due to this, people also become more vulnerable to varying heat-related illnesses. In fact, several Local Government Units here in the Philippines have prompted schools to transfer to online classes to protect teachers and students (GMA Integrated News, 2024).
Although we get used to hearing that heat temperatures intensify every year, this occurrence is not normal and should be taken seriously. If this continues, sea level rise, health risks, and economic impacts will be negatively affected. And the mere fact that what we can only do to prevent this is through cooperating globally to reduce consumption, conserve resources, and protect ecosystems—these are quite difficult to fathom especially in our generation where everyone is eager to consume and meet the needs of oneself.
Above all, PAG-ASA suggests the public to be mindful of heat-related illnesses. Additionally, they advise us to use umbrellas, wear light or cotton clothes, limit intense activities, and avoid drinking coffee, tea, or liquor. As temperatures could worsen by the third week of April, health departments and weather stations inform people to beat the risks of summer heat. On the other hand, DepEd and LGUs in different parts of the country must also coordinate with PAG-ASA and Task Force El Niño amid the expected impact.
Even though we have not experienced Taylor Swift's concert in the Philippines, we literally experience the line in her song Cruel Summer: "Fever dream high in the quiet of the night" because whether it is morning or evening, the temperature stays the same—it is fever high. In times like this when we can actually fry an egg under the blazing sun, our bodies need to keep refreshed so one should always stay hydrated.
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