In Manila, Philippines, Catholic bishops are helping to ask for help from God to relieve the intense heatwave affecting the country. They are telling their followers to say special prayers for rain and cooler temperatures.
Because of the rising temperatures, the government has had to close tens of thousands of schools over the past week. The increased demand has stressed the country's power supply, which was already under pressure.
An El Nino drought that started early this year is making the problem worse, causing 5.9 billion pesos ($103 million) of farm produce to be ruined, according to the Department of Agriculture.
The Catholic Bishops of the Philippines released an “Oratio Imperata”, telling parishes in the mainly Catholic nation to say a prayer for protection from disasters during masses, according to a text seen by AFP on Saturday.
The prayer asks for relief from the intense heat that is disrupting people's lives and livelihoods, and threatens their lives. It also asks for rain to replenish water sources, irrigate fields, prevent water and power shortages, and provide water for daily needs.
“Send us rain to replenish our depleting water sources, to irrigate our fields, to stave off water and power shortages and to provide water for our daily needs.”
The capital Manila recorded a record-high temperature of 38.8 degrees Celsius (101.8 degrees Fahrenheit) on April 27, leading to the closure of over 47,000 schools for two days.
The education department said nearly 8,000 schools were still closed as of Friday, and the highest temperature in the country, 38.2C, was recorded on the island of Mindoro south of the capital.
Agence France-Presse
