This month, the hottest during the year with an average temperature of 30 degrees Celsius or 86 degrees Fahrenheit, is literally exhaling heat index flashes on at least 15 areas in this basically agricultural economy.
Instance, only the other day, Dipolog in Zamboanga del Norte experienced 45 degrees Celsius, followed by Daet., Camarines Norte, Legazpi City in Albay, Zamboanga City in Zamboanga del Sur at 44 degrees Celsius.
Others – like Aparri, Cagayan, Iba, Zambales, Infanta Quezon, Masbate City and Roxas City, Capiz – recorded 43 degrees Celsius.
Catarman, Northern Samar, Dagupan City, Laoag City, Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City, San Jose in Occidental Mindoro, and Sinait, Ilocos Sur all registered 42 degrees Celsius.
What does this mean?
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) says heat indices between 42 degrees Celsius and 51 degrees Celsius carry impending “danger” as “heat cramps and heat exhaustion are likely” and “heat stroke is probable with continued activity.”
We must understand our climate is tropical and maritime, characterized by relatively high temperature, high humidity and abundant rainfall, similar in many respects to the climate of Central American countries.
With many beasts of burden to help Filipino farmers in their terraced lands, we should understand as well that heat stress affects animals both directly and indirectly.
Over time, heat stress can increase vulnerability to disease, reduce fertility, and reduce milk production. Fact is, climate experts say drought may threaten pasture and feed supplies and reduces the amount of quality forage available to grazing livestock.
Then there is this El Niño appearing on the country’s weather screen, with PAGASA saying it “will likely develop in July-August-September 2023 season and may persist until 2024.”
El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could lead to dry spells and droughts in some areas of the Philippines, and the likelihood is high that agricultural products north and south of the capital will be at peril.
What does this mean? What are the effects of El Niño? It will bring warmer temperatures, fewer clouds, and below-normal rainfall, the dry season will be extended and rainy season will be delayed, and fewer tropical cyclones in the Philippines to bless the parched land.
Experts are agreed that El Niño’s impact can be felt in agriculture, marine resources, the environment, and health as it could lead to a decline in crop production, reduced water supply, fish kills and red tides, less water for sanitation, possible increase in tropical diseases due to drier conditions, possible increase in food-borne diseases due to high temperatures, poor air quality, just to mention a few.
Meanwhile, the heat index appears to be running riot.