After Manila recorded a record high temperature of 38.8 degrees Celsius, weather forecasters in the capital city have stated that the abnormally hot weather in the Philippines is expected to continue until mid-May.
According to reports from Agence France-Presse, extreme heat has swept across this Southeast Asian country in recent days, prompting authorities to issue health warnings.
Many people in the Philippines have been flocking to air-conditioned shopping centers and swimming pools to escape the scorching heat. “This is the hottest weather I have experienced here,” said 65-year-old Nancy Bautista, who runs a resort in Cavite province near Manila. Due to the hot weather, the resort is fully booked.
“Our guests are mostly friends and family, and they are all cooling off in the pool,” Bautista said.
Data from Manila’s weather forecast shows that on Saturday, the temperature reached a historic high of 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.8 degrees Fahrenheit), with a heat index of 45 degrees Celsius.
The heat index is a measure that combines air temperature and relative humidity to determine the perceived temperature.
March, April, and May are typically the hottest and driest months in the region, but this year’s El Nino weather phenomenon has exacerbated the situation.
The Department of Education, responsible for overseeing over 47,600 schools, stated that nearly 6,700 schools suspended face-to-face classes on Wednesday.
Ana Solis, the chief climatologist at the national weather forecasting agency, said there is a 50% chance of worsening high temperatures in the coming days.
“We need to limit our time outdoors, drink plenty of water, and carry umbrellas and hats when going out,” Solis said.
Glaiza Escullar, a national weather forecaster, told AFP, “It is expected that in the first half of May, temperatures will rise even further nationwide, not just in Metro Manila.”
In Camiling City, Tarlac Province, just north of Manila, a temperature of 40.3 degrees Celsius was recorded on Saturday, setting a new high for the Philippines this year.
As temperatures rise, 31-year-old Gerise Reyes plans to take her two-year-old daughter to a shopping center near Manila to escape the heat.
“It’s too hot at home. This is the hottest weather I’ve experienced, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.,” she said. “We need free air conditioning to reduce our electricity bill.”
Global temperatures hit a record high last year, with the United Nations weather and climate agency announcing that Asia is warming at an especially rapid rate.
The Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Thailand is another Southeast Asian country experiencing extreme heat. The Thai Energy Department reported that on Saturday evening, Thailand’s electricity demand reached a record 36,356 megawatts. The northern and northeastern regions of Thailand are expected to be the hottest, with temperatures reaching 44 degrees Celsius in some areas on Sunday.
Bangkok issued an extreme heat warning last week as the heat index rose to “extremely dangerous” levels. According to government data, about 30 people have died due to high temperatures in Thailand this year, compared to 37 deaths in 2023.