Manila, May 3 -- Coastal areas will continue to have high heat indices as the country continues to deal with the effects of El Nino this month, the head of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Friday.

PAGASA on Thursday said the heat index peaked at 48 degrees in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, and Aparri, Cagayan. These two areas are also forecast to experience 47 degrees heat index on Friday.

"It's because these two are located along coastal areas, so we are expecting not just high temperatures but high heat indices," PAGASA chief Nathaniel Servando told the Philippine News Agency.

He said all other places that are flat, near coastal areas, and surrounded by mountains or valleys, wi...