Even with the weakening of the El Niño phenomenon, air temperature rise in Metro Manila appeared unstoppable as it reached 37.5 degrees Celsius Wednesday afternoon, the highest recorded this year.

The temperature was registered at the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Science Garden in Quezon City at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The maximum temperature was higher than the 36.8 degrees Celsius recorded last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the minimum temperature recorded in Metro Manila at 6 a.m. Wednesday was also a bit high at 27.5 degrees Celsius.

The previous record-high of 37.3 degrees Celsius in the metropolis was registered last April 28 and May 17.

Earlier, PAGASA senior weather forecaster Robert Sawi explained that temperatures during the month of May are normally high.

He said the relative humidity also contributes to the heat prevailing in the metropolis.

Sawi noted that the temperatures until the end of the month are expected to hover at around 37 degrees Celsius.

PAGASA is already monitoring the possible onset of the rainy season by the last week of May or first week of June, as the current El Niño is likely to continue to weaken.

Based on the PAGASA data, he hottest temperature in Philippine history was at 42.2 degrees Celsius, recorded in Tuguegarao, Cagayan on May 11, 1969.

The hottest day in Metro Manila was at 38.5 recorded on May 14, 1987.

Meanwhile, PNA/Xinhua reported that at least 230 people have died of heat stress in Myanmar's second largest city of Mandalay up to the weekend, the local 7-Day News quoted Mandalay municipal authorities as reporting Wednesday.

Mandalay's weather temperature was recorded at as high as 45 degree Celsius.

Among the dead, most were liquor drinkers, the report said, adding that Mandalay local authorities have banned selling liquor in the city.

The red-hot temperature has brought many patients of all ages to the Mandalay General Hospital and other private clinics.