Hot temperatures expected to continue in northern areas

High temperatures are expected to continue in northern parts of China for the next 10 days, the National Meteorological Center said on Friday.

From Friday through Sunday in North China and the Yellow River region, temperatures could hit 40 C. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is forecast to experience eight to nine days of high temperatures in the next 10 days.

The China Meteorological Administration has issued a yellow warning for high temperatures, the lowest of a three-tier warning system, with temperatures reaching between 35 and 37 C in about a dozen provincial regions. The public is advised to be cautious of heat-related illnesses during this prolonged period of high temperatures.

A record-breaking heatwave hit Beijing on June 23 as the South Suburb Observatory in Beijing recorded a temperature of 40.3 C, the highest in the area since the observatory was established in 1951. The observatory has issued a red warning for extreme heat, the highest level possible and the first time in nine years that the city issued such a warning.

In a Friday report by China Central Television, the recent heatwave has raised concerns about vehicle safety. Extreme temperatures can cause problems with tires, leading to accidents. In Shaanxi and Hubei provinces, incidents of tire explosions and vehicle fires have occurred due to the hot weather. It is recommended that drivers check their tires regularly and replace them if necessary.

The rising temperatures have resulted in an increase in heatstrokes, Beijing Daily reported on June 26. Beijing Chaoyang Hospital has reported a higher number of patients with heatstroke in recent weeks, receiving an average of six patients per day, approaching the peak seen in July and August in previous years.

China Entrepreneur, a magazine in Beijing, reported on Friday about outdoor workers struggling with high temperatures.

Outdoor workers are finding ways to cope with the extreme heat. Some are drinking up to eight liters of water per day, while others adjust their working hours to avoid the hottest part of the day. Some workers even use portable air conditioners to cool themselves.

lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn