Cebu City, Mandaue brace for warmer days

This dry season, the cities of Cebu and Mandaue may experience warmer temperatures compared to other areas in the province since land surfaces are mostly concrete like buildings and roads, said an official from Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Cebu (PAGASA-Cebu).

PAGASA-Cebu Officer-in-Charge Engineer Alfredo Quiblat, Jr., explained that this event is widely known as the “urban heat island effect” wherein asphalt and concrete surfaces of roads, buildings, and other structures absorb the sun's heat, cause the temperature to rise.

“The actual temperature last Friday (April 21) was 32.4 degrees Celsius but in Cebu and Mandaue, there is what we call as the heat island effect. So, temperatures here are hotter especially on areas crowded with buildings and roads,” he said in a phone interview with The FREEMAN yesterday.

He warned that the surface temperatures in the two cities may be higher by two to three degrees Celsius compared to the actual.

If the actual temperature throughout the province registered at 32.4 degrees Celsius, the surface temperature in these highly-urbanized localities may reach as high as 35.4 degrees Celsius.

Not only that, Quiblat said the heat index, or the actual warmth felt by the human body, may peak to 40 degrees Celsius. To note, the average normal body temperature is 37 degrees Celsius.

Quiblat said the average normal temperature in April, as recorded in 30 years, range from 25 degrees to 32 degrees Celsius. He forecasted that the air temperature is expected to increase in the coming days until the month of May, surpassing the average recorded temperatures.

Thus he cautioned people to take precautionary measures to minimize the adverse effects, especially on one's health, as this might trigger heat injuries or heat stress.

He advised the public to stay indoors as much as possible, especially during these vacations months.

If planning to go out, he said, people should wear light-colored clothing since these types of color will only reflect the sun's energy.

Quiblat also said that people should drink plenty of water regularly to keep the body cool and to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages that might dehydrate the body.

He added people should eat small meals in a day and avoid consuming food high in protein as it might increase metabolic heat.