Due to record heat, all public schools in the Philippines were closed on Monday and Tuesday. The weather bureau warned of dangerous heat index levels, with some areas already at ‘extreme danger’. A record-breaking heat index of 53 degrees was recorded in Iba town on Sunday.
In the capital Manila and in many other parts of the country, temperatures felt well above 40 degrees. The population was asked to spend as little time outdoors as possible and to protect themselves from the sun’s rays with hats and parasols.
Six deaths have already been suspected
Over the past ten days, dozens of people have had to seek medical attention for possible heat-related conditions. Six deaths likely related to the extreme values were still under investigation.
“The heat is unbearable, especially around noon,” said the owner of a tourist guesthouse in the Palawan region, popular with holidaymakers. “Our guests just want to hide in their air-conditioned rooms.”
Thailand is also experiencing a heat wave
According to health authorities, 30 people have died from heat-related illnesses since the beginning of the year. The local environmental agency issues regular warnings, especially for the capital Bangkok, urging people to stay in air-conditioned indoor spaces if possible. The heat index in the metropolis has been consistently above 52 degrees lately. The actual values are usually 38 to 39 degrees. Even at night it has barely dropped below 30 degrees for weeks.
April marks the end of the dry season in Thailand and is generally the hottest month of the year. However, the country has been sweating at unusually high temperatures for weeks. According to experts, such extreme weather is especially dangerous for chronically ill people, seniors and overweight people.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
