Exercise caution against extreme heat as the Philippines expects to experience this April the twin onslaught of the dry season’s peak and the prevailing drought-driving El Niño phenomenon’s brunt. This reminder was issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to the public yesterday, warning of higher temperature and further rainfall shortage this month. “We must prepare for such simultaneous occurrence,” said senior weather specialist Analiza Solis from the PAGASA. She warned of higher temperature and further rainfall shortage this month, noting El Niño is exacerbating the hotter- and drier-than-usual weather conditions that generally prevail during the dry season’s peak. According to Department of Health (DOH), exposure to high temperature can cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat injury, heat stroke and other illnesses. DOH also warned that water scarcity can lead to diarrhea, skin diseases and red tide-induced paralytic shellfish poisoning. NEARLY 40 DEGREES CELSIUS Data from [...]