ILOILO City — Scorching conditions are expected to persist across the Visayas, with heat index levels in several areas projected to reach up to 42°C to 44°C in the coming days, based on the latest bulletin from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As of 5 p.m. on April 9, monitoring data indicated that many locations in Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas are already under “danger” heat index levels, with forecasts showing continued high readings.
In Western Visayas, Dumangas in Iloilo posted one of the highest readings at 43°C earlier in the week and remained at 42°C by April 9.
Iloilo City reached 41°C and is expected to stay around 40°C in the next two days, while Roxas City in Capiz also hit 40°C—reflecting widespread intense heat across the region.
According to PAGASA, these levels fall within the “danger” category, where prolonged exposure may trigger heat-related illnesses such as cramps, exhaustion, or heat stroke.
Central Visayas is also seeing extreme conditions. Catarman, Northern Samar registered a peak heat index of 44°C, among the highest recorded in the Visayas, and is expected to remain at 42°C. Other areas like Mactan in Cebu and Panglao in Bohol are forecast to range from 36°C to 38°C, categorized under “extreme caution.”
In Eastern Visayas, stations including Catbalogan, Tacloban, and Borongan recorded heat indices between 39°C and 41°C. These may climb to around 40°C in the coming days, sustaining hazardous heat levels in parts of the region.
The heat index reflects the combined effect of temperature and humidity, offering a better measure of how hot it actually feels to the human body.
PAGASA classifies heat index values from 33°C to 41°C as “extreme caution,” while 42°C to 51°C fall under “danger,” where the risk of heat-related illnesses increases significantly.
Residents are advised to minimize time outdoors, drink plenty of water, and avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours, particularly from late morning to mid-afternoon.
Local governments across the Visayas have started issuing advisories to protect residents, especially vulnerable sectors, as high heat conditions continue during the dry season./PN
