General Santos City heat index hits 55°C Tuesday morning

MANILA, Philippines — The heat index in General Santos City reached an extremely dangerous 55°C Tuesday morning, according to the state weather bureau. 

Based on the interactive map of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), General Santos City’s heat index spiked to 55°C at 7 a.m. It was measured at 52°C at 6 a.m. and 51°C an hour earlier.

READ: Here’s how to protect yourself from high heat index, according to DOH

Under the extreme danger category, the heat index is greater or equal to 52°C. 

Meanwhile, Pagasa said that the following areas recorded dangerous levels of heat indices. Under this category, the heat index ranges from 42°C to 51°C.

• Mati, Davao Oriental: 48°C as of 11 a.m.
• Mulanay, Quezon: 44°C as of 11 a.m.
• Surigao del Norte: 44°C as of 11 a.m
• Milagos, Masbate: 44°C as of 11 a.m.
• San Enrique, Iloilo: 43°C as of 11 a.m.
• Tandag, Surigao del Sur: 42°C as of 11 a.m.
• Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur: 42°C as of 11 a.m.
• Butuan, Agusan del Sur: 42°C as of 11 a.m.
• Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay: 42°C as of 11 a.m. 
• Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur: 42°C as of 11 a.m.
• Legazpi, Albay: 42°C as of 11 a.m.
• Tacloban, Leyte: 42°C as of 11 a.m.
• Tandag, Surigao del Sur: 42°C as of 11 a.m.
• Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay: 42°C as of 11 a.m. 

Pagasa noted that the heat index records were obtained real time from the automated weather stations.  /gsg