In the Philippines, it’s ‘so hot you can’t breathe’ as heat index touches 47 degrees Celsius

The months of March, April and May are typically the hottest and driest in the archipelago nation, but conditions this year have been exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon.

“It’s so hot you can’t breathe,” said Erlin Tumaron, 60, who works at a seaside resort in Cavite province, south of Manila, where the heat index reached 47 degrees Celsius (116.6 degrees Fahrenheit) on Tuesday.

“It’s surprising our pools are still empty. You would expect people to come and take a swim, but it seems they’re reluctant to leave their homes because of the heat.”

There was a 50 per cent chance of the heat intensifying in the coming days, said Ana Solis, chief climatologist at the state weather forecaster.

“We need to limit the time we spend outdoors, drink plenty of water, bring umbrellas and hats when going outdoors,” Solis said.

Solis said El Nino was the reason for the “extreme heat” affecting swathes of the country. Around half the country’s provinces are officially in drought.

The northern municipality of Aparri endured a heat index of 48 degrees on Tuesday, the highest in the country, and was expected to hit 45 degrees on Wednesday. The actual maximum air temperature was 36.4 degrees on Tuesday, with 35 degrees forecast for Wednesday.

“It’s really hot here,” Eric Vista of the municipal disaster agency said. Vista said a shower of rain on Tuesday night had offered some temporary relief, but it was “back to being super hot” on Wednesday.

Sweltering temperatures in the capital Manila forced many schools to switch to remote learning. The heat index reached 45 degrees on Tuesday and was expected to hit 44 degrees on Wednesday. Tuesday’s actual high in the city was 37.1 degrees.

In Dagupan city, north of Manila, university employee Edz