Eastern China's Unrelenting Heat Wave: Record Temperatures Challenge Cities

Eastern China is experiencing unseasonably high temperatures, with cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai facing record highs. The heat wave, exacerbated by global warming, has led to an increased demand for electricity, straining power grids. Meteorologists warn of potential fire hazards and continued high temperatures in the coming days.

Eastern China is enduring unseasonably high temperatures, with the excessive heat expected to linger in mega coastal cities like Jiangsu and Zhejiang for up to 10 more days. Recent days have seen temperatures as high as 43.9 degrees Celsius scorch Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Anhui, and Xinjiang, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

In Zhejiang, the provincial capital Hangzhou recorded a historic high of 41.9C on Saturday. This city of 12.5 million people is expected to endure temperatures exceeding 40C through August 11. Nearby in Shanghai, power grid demand surpassed 40 million kilowatts for the first time on Friday as 40C temperatures drove electricity consumption in the city of nearly 25 million residents, reported industry news outlet BJX.com.

Chinese meteorologists attribute this year's record heat to high continental temperatures stemming from global warming, despite the La Nina weather phenomenon that typically brings cooler sea surface temperatures. Earlier this year, China experienced its warmest spring since 1961 and the hottest May, resulting in drought-like conditions in central China in June, impacting crops and local farming communities.

The extreme summer heat has led to increased electricity use, primarily due to heightened air-conditioning demand, potentially threatening a power supply crunch. Zhejiang's State Grid has recommended electric vehicle owners charge their vehicles late at night to balance electricity use during peak hours and urged the public to turn off air-conditioning when temperatures are milder. National weather forecasters have also warned of potential fire hazards due to excessive power consumption.

In the coming days, temperatures in many areas around the Yangtze River delta are expected to remain above 37C, with daily maximums breaching historical extremes at several national weather stations. Jiangsu's observatory issued a red warning for heat on Sunday as temperatures, persisting for over a week, continued to rise. Cities such as Wuxi, Changzhou, and Zhenjiang could see temperatures reach 40C, according to CCTV. Hangzhou is set to experience 10 consecutive days of temperatures above 40C, surpassing its previous record of eight days in 2013.

(With inputs from agencies.)