2010-07-07 11:50

BEIJING - China's National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued an orange-level heatwave alert to the public Wednesday warning that the high temperatures affecting many parts of China will continue.

A visitor cools himself with a hand fan at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, July 6, 2010. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Maximum temperatures will climb to 35 to 38 degrees Celsius Wednesday in most areas near the Yangtze River and north China regions, including Shanghai, Chongqing and the provinces of Jiangsu, Hubei, Anhui, Sichuan, Shanxi and Shaanxi as well as Beijing, the NMC weather forecast said.

Temperatures might hit 40 degrees Celsius in some areas, including southern Hebei, northwest Shandong and northeast Henan, the NMC said.

Areas in south China, including Guangdong and Yunnan, will swelter under maximum temperatures ranging from 35 to 37 degrees Celsius in the next 24 hours.

Heavy rains will hit northern Hunan, central Jiangxi, southern Zhejiang, northern Fujian and southwestern Sichuan, which will cool temperatures somewhat in those areas.

China has a four-color heat warning system: red, orange, yellow and blue. Red is the most serious level.

Under an orange alert, the second most serious, people are advised to avoid outdoor activities in the afternoon and employers are asked to take measures to protect staff working outdoors from heatstroke.