Chongqing heat sparks highest health alert

The Chongqing Health Commission and Chongqing Meteorological Observatory upgraded the city's second-level alert issued on Wednesday for heatstroke, changing to a first-level alert for heatstroke on Friday. It is the city's first such top-level alert.

According to the chief forecaster of the municipal meteorological observatory, Luo Juan, the city's first-level alert for heatstroke must come after temperatures in at least eight districts and counties rise above 40 C for five consecutive days.

From July 29 to Aug 12, a dozen districts and counties in Chongqing — including Hechuan, Bishan and Fengdu, and some parts of the city's central urban area had temperatures exceeding 40 C for five to 11 consecutive days. The heat wave is expected to continue the following week.

Luo said summer in Chongqing is noted for its high intensity and long duration. Temperatures are significantly higher and rains is significantly reduced.

This summer, Chongqing has witnessed two rounds of heat waves, with 29.3 days of high temperatures on average, ranking second in the period since 1951. The most was 30.2 days in 2006.

On Sunday, the city's Beibei district reached 44.5 C — the maximum temperature appearing for the second time on record in Chongqing, according to the local observatory.

Half the city is experiencing a slight drought and more than 30 percent of the city is in medium to severe drought, the observatory said.

According to the local weather forecast, strong subtropical high pressure will bring the municipality high temperatures from 38 C to 42 C for 10 days from Aug 13 to 22, and some parts will reach 43 C to 44 C. Central, western and northeastern Chongqing will see temperatures reach or surpass record highs.