Brace for 41˚C weather, PAGASA tells public

After going through “record" 36.8-degree heat for two days this week, Metro Manila residents may have to brace for temperature as high as “41 degrees" Celsius in May. Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather bureau head Nathaniel Cruz said the temperature plus humidity may drive temperatures to 41˚C. “Inaasahan natin aabot pa yan pwede higit 37 o 38 degrees Celsius ... (Pero) kung 36 na sinasabi ng PAGASA, yan ay kung nasa lilim ka. Kung ikaw ay nasa labas maaring yan ay 40 to 41 degrees Celsius (We expect temperatures to go up to 37 to 38˚C. But that is if you are indoors. If you are outdoors, the temperature may feel like 40 to 41˚C)," Cruz said on government-run dzRB radio. He particularly advised the public to stay away from the summer sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and to at least take precautions against dehydration and heat stroke. Cruz said this is especially true not only for children and elderly, but for candidates rushing through the homestretch of the campaign period. “Lalo ang nangangampanya nakabilad sa init ng araw (Those vulnerable to this heat will include those campaigning under the hot sun)," he said. Cruz said they expect temperatures to get hotter until at least June. Temperatures in Metro Manila had soared to 36.8 degrees last Tuesday and Thursday. For her part, Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral advised the elderly, especially those with high blood pressure, to stay indoors when the sun is at its hottest. In a separate interview on dzRB radio, Cabral also discouraged physical labor that may result in dehydration. “Maaring magkaroon ng dehydration at masyadong mataas ang temperature sa katawan natin (We may suffer dehydration and our bodies may overheat)," she said. She advised people to wear loose and light-colored clothing, and urged the public not to leave food exposed to the sun lest they spoil quickly. Cabral said people should opt for “dry" foods like inihaw (grilled) or prito (fried) foods, and avoid foods with ingredients like mayonnaise, which she said spoil quickly. — LBG, GMANews.TV