The dry season—when humidity levels are particularly high in this tropical country—has begun, the weather bureau said Wednesday, adding the northeast monsoon season, commonly known locally as amihan, has ended.
“The public is advised to take precautionary measures to minimize heat stress and optimize the daily use of water for personal and domestic consumption,” the bureau said in a statement.
According to the state weather bureau, easterly winds are now prevailing over most parts of the country, as a result of the advancing high pressure area over the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
“Day-to-day rainfall distribution across the country will be influenced mostly by easterlies and localized thunderstorms,” the bureau said.
The highest temperatures and heat indexes are usually recorded in the middle of the dry season.
During last year’s dry season, the highest heat index was recorded in Dagupan City, Pangasinan on May 12 at 52°C.
The Department of Health previously warned that hotter days might cause heat stroke: the most severe form of heat illness when the body overheats and cannot cool down.
It advised the public to stay indoors and drink lots of fluids, but avoid “diuretics” such as tea, coffee, soda and alcohol.
Since diuretics increase urine production, too much consumption of these drinks may result in dehydration of both body fluids and electrolytes, it said.