The Philippines has announced the cancellation of in-person public school classes for the next two days due to a heatwave affecting the country, particularly its main island of Luzon. The state weather agency predicts temperatures in the capital region could soar to 37 degrees Celsius over the next three days, with a dangerous heat index reaching 45 degrees Celsius. This prolonged heatwave is straining the power grid on Luzon, which is crucial for the country's economic output, exacerbated by 13 power plants shutting down earlier this month.

In neighboring Indonesia, warmer temperatures have contributed to a significant increase in cases of dengue fever, reaching 35,000 cases last month compared to 15,000 a year earlier. The El Niño weather pattern has prolonged the dry season, accelerating the mosquito lifecycle and leading to the surge in dengue fever cases.

Due to the extreme heat, the Philippines' education ministry has ordered public schools to transition to online learning to ensure the safety of students and teachers, as classrooms are often overcrowded and lack air-conditioning. Reports of health issues such as high blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting among both students and teachers have surfaced. Additionally, several private schools and universities have voluntarily shifted to online classes.

The situation has also affected Manila's main airport, where passengers are enduring high temperatures inside Terminal 3 following the malfunction of two cooling towers. Measures such as the use of evaporative fans are being implemented to alleviate the discomfort for passengers.