Temperatures are already rising to unprecedented levels across China — and they're expected to get worse. Livestock, crops, and power grids are all expected to be affected. Will local governments be ready for the impact of these heat waves?
Since early July, much of China has been in the grip of a historic heat wave that has emptied rivers, forced cities to dim lights, and left people desperately searching for ways to cool down. This is what it looks like.
A prolonged heat wave in China has drained water reserves and ignited forest fires, forcing authorities to extend power curbs in a bid to shore up the country’s strained energy supply and keep the COVID-hit economy running.
The whole world is suffering from extreme weather and China is no exception as droughts threaten hydropower and companies that depend on it, and floods and heat waves disrupt daily life and the economy.
Though summer floods are common in China, at least 12 people are dead and more are missing in Sichuan while more heat waves are predicted in other parts of the country.
Beware of heatstroke! Temperatures in some areas in China soared to over 40 degrees Celsius amid a heat wave that has left some residents seeking shelter in Wi-Fi-equipped underground bunkers to stay cool.