Recent developments reveal that the remains of a nearly 300-year-old town have resurfaced in the Philippines due to scorching temperatures causing a major dam to partially dry up. Pantabangan town, submerged in the 1970s to create a reservoir, emerges from the water during rare instances of exceptionally dry and hot weather. This occurrence coincides with a widespread drought affecting nearly half of the country, with temperatures reaching record highs in various regions. According to Marlon Paladin, an engineer overseeing the nation’s dams, this is the longest period the town has remained visible above water since the dam’s construction.

Intense heatwaves have significantly disrupted daily routines for millions in the Philippines, prompting school closures and advisories for office workers to shift to remote work. An official from the state-run weather bureau Pagasa, well-versed in the situation, predicts further temperature increases in the upcoming days. This trend is attributed to the broader effects of climate change, which have resulted in consistently warmer temperatures across the country.

The Philippines is currently experiencing its warm and dry season, exacerbated by the presence of El Niño, marked by abnormal warming of surface waters in the Pacific Ocean. Given its status as an archipelago, the eastern coast of the Philippines is especially prone to these effects. As one of the most climate-vulnerable nations globally, the Philippines faces heightened risks from extreme weather events, exemplified by the unprecedented devastation caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

Reports indicate a significant decrease in dam levels across various regions, including Pantabangan, where water levels have dropped nearly 50 meters from their usual high mark of 221 meters. The emergence of the ruins began in March, coinciding with minimal rainfall in the region, which has drawn tourists to the town located approximately 202 km (125 miles) north of Manila, the capital.

Beyond the Philippines, several other countries, including Bangladesh, Thailand, and areas along the Myanmar border, have also reported soaring temperatures. In some places, temperatures have exceeded 45°C (113°F), intensifying the already difficult conditions.