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Extreme Heat in PH

Extreme heat in the Philippines poses risks to public health and the economy. The state weather agency has declared the start of the warm dry season and issued an El Niño watch, signaling increased likelihood of extreme heat and dry spells in the next six months. Heat-related illnesses like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and potentially fatal heatstroke can occur when the body is unable to properly cool itself through sweating and regulate its temperature. Young children, the elderly, and those with certain medical conditions are most at risk. During hot weather, people should stay hydrated, limit strenuous activity, and watch for signs of heat-related illness.

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64 views2 pages

Extreme Heat in PH

Extreme heat in the Philippines poses risks to public health and the economy. The state weather agency has declared the start of the warm dry season and issued an El Niño watch, signaling increased likelihood of extreme heat and dry spells in the next six months. Heat-related illnesses like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and potentially fatal heatstroke can occur when the body is unable to properly cool itself through sweating and regulate its temperature. Young children, the elderly, and those with certain medical conditions are most at risk. During hot weather, people should stay hydrated, limit strenuous activity, and watch for signs of heat-related illness.

Uploaded by

Jeany Valdez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Extreme heat in PH: Health risks, economic impact

MANILA, Philippines—As the country transitions from cold and rainy


weather to the warm and dry season, the temperature increases again,
and so do risks tied to hot and sunny days—such as its impact on
people’s health and the economy.

Last week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical


Services Administration (Pagasa) officially declared the start of the
warm and dry season, which is expected to last until May.

Pagasa has also upgraded its monitoring of oceanic temperatures to an


El Niño Watch, which means there is a high likelihood that the El Niño
phenomenon, characterized by extreme heat and prolonged dry spells,
will develop in the next six months.

Pagasa issues El Niño Watch; urges public to prepare for warm, dry season

While the end of the northeast monsoon, or amihan, season signals the
start of warmer temperatures across the country, more Filipinos—as
well as foreign tourists—start to flock to popular beaches and other
leisure destinations to beat the heat, by either dipping in the waters or
soaking up cool wind.

While these activities are natural or usual among local and foreign
tourists, especially amid hot weather, there are still dangers and
hazards to watch out for.

Heat-related illnesses
Among the dangers of blistering temperatures are heat-related
illnesses like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, sunburn, rash, and
potentially fatal heatstroke.

In hot weather, the body cools itself by perspiring. “The evaporation of


your sweat regulates your body temperature,” the US-based nonprofit
organization Mayo Clinic explained.

However, vigorous activity during extreme heat and humid weather


affects the body’s ability to cool itself efficiently. When this happens,
internal heat can build up to “dangerous” levels, said Johns Hopkins
Medicine.

Aside from high heat index, hot weather, and strenuous activity, Mayo
Clinic likewise identified dehydration, alcohol intake, and overdressing
as some causes of heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heatstroke.

It also said that infants, children, and adults over 65 years old are at
higher risk of experiencing heat-related illnesses.

“The body’s ability to regulate its temperature isn’t fully developed in


the young and may be reduced by illness, medications, or other factors
in older adults,” the organization said on its website.

Certain medications and obesity can also affect the body’s ability to
remain hydrated and respond appropriately to heat.

What to do
According to the Department of Health (DOH), out of the common heat-
related illnesses, heat stroke is the most severe form. It occurs when
the body overheats and fails to cool down due to dehydration and a
humid environment.

Among the emergency measures that should be taken when someone


is suffering from heat stroke are:

 moving the person to a shady spot or indoors

 have them lie down with their legs elevated

 have the victim drink cool water

 remove clothing and apply cool water to the skin

 fan the person

 apply ice packs to the armpits, wrists, ankles, and groin.

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