BEIJING: As several parts of China continue to suffer from scorching temperatures, the prevailing heatwave is likely to continue for another 10 days in coastal cities in the highly industrialized provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
The country's eastern and northwestern regions, including Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Anhui and Xinjiang, have seen temperatures as high as 43.9℃, the state broadcaster reported. Closed TV circuit.
On Saturday, the temperature in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province and a coastal city of 12.5 million people, reached 41.9℃. The metropolis is expected to suffer sweltering temperatures of over 40℃ until August 11.
In nearby Shanghai, peak load, or demand, on its power grid exceeded 40 million kilowatts for the first time on Friday as temperatures of 40℃ boosted electricity consumption in the city of nearly 25 million people, according to the industry news outlet. BJX.com.
Chinese meteorologists say this year's record heat has been exacerbated by higher continental temperatures due to global warming, while the La Niña weather phenomenon is causing cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific.
Earlier this year, the country suffered its warmest spring since 1961, when current data began to be collected. That was followed by the country’s hottest May on record, triggering weeks of drought-like conditions in central China in June, affecting crops and the livelihoods of farming communities in the region.
With the extreme heat this summer, electricity consumption has also increased due to the increased demand for air conditioning. The sudden increase in electricity demand could threaten a supply crisis.
Last month, Zhejiang's state power grid began recommending that electric vehicle owners charge their vehicles late at night to stagger electricity use around daily peak hours.
He also recommended that people turn off their air conditioning when temperatures were milder.
The national meteorologist warned on Monday of potential fire risks caused by excessive energy consumption and excessive electrical loads.
In the coming days, many areas around the Yangtze River Delta can expect sweltering weather of more than 37℃ after daily high temperatures at seven national meteorological stations surpassed local record extremes.
Jiangsu observatory on Sunday issued a red alert for heat after high temperatures that had persisted for more than a week intensified further. The mercury could reach 40℃ in the cities of Wuxi, Changzhou and Zhenjiang. Closed TV circuit saying.
Hangzhou is expected to have 10 consecutive days with temperatures above 40℃, breaking its record of eight days in 2013.
