A record-breaking heatwave in the Philippines has raised the risk of power outages and triggered school closures.

The high in the capital Manila reached 38.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The same day, the temperature hit 40.3 degrees in the nearby province of Tarlac.

The metro Manila power utility is calling on people to save electricity as a surge in air conditioner usage is threatening to overload the grid.

The department of education has ordered all public schools to suspend classes and switch to home-study or online classes for two days.

The country's north and central regions have seen little rainfall, raising concerns about agricultural produce.

The scorching heat is believed to have been brought on by the El Nino phenomenon. Weather authorities say it will last until June and are urging people to be careful.