China is currently experiencing the strongest heatwave of the year, with over 2 million square kilometers of the country experiencing temperatures of over 35°C. Some areas have even reached over 40°C, and meteorological authorities have described the intensity of the heat as rarely seen in history. The high temperatures have led to road surfaces cracking, people fainting at musicals, students suffering from heatstroke, and birds struggling to cope with the extreme heat. It is predicted that regions such as the Huang-Huai and Jiangnan will continue to experience widespread high temperatures for the next three days.
The China Meteorological Administration issued a yellow warning for high temperatures on July 5, predicting that on the 6th, temperatures above 35°C will occur in southern North China, Central China, Chongqing, East China, South China, Southern Xinjiang, and Junggar Basin, with about two-thirds of these regions expected to reach 37-39°C, and certain areas like Southern Xinjiang, Turpan Basin, northern Shandong Peninsula, and parts of northern Jiangsu and Anhui could exceed 40°C.
In recent days, northern regions have also experienced unusually high temperatures and humidity levels similar to those usually seen in the south. The relative humidity in North China has exceeded 85%, with Beijing even reaching 100% humidity briefly on July 3. Ma Weidu, founder of the Guanfu Museum, humorously commented online that “Beijing feels like it’s in the tropics, stepping outside is like being licked by a cow.”
The Shanghai Central Meteorological Observatory upgraded the high-temperature yellow warning to an orange warning on July 6, forecasting that maximum temperatures in the central urban areas, Baoshan, Jiading, Minhang, and other places will exceed 37°C, potentially setting new records for this round of high temperatures.
Shandong Province has been experiencing persistent high temperatures recently, even reaching the hottest spot nationwide. Meteorological authorities have described the intensity of the heat as rarely seen historically. In Shandong Province, temperatures have soared to 42.4°C, recorded at the Liudianzi Meteorological Monitoring Station in Linyi.
Temperatures in Weifang, Shandong, have also surged to 40°C. Videos shared by netizens showed multiple audience members fainting from heatstroke during a music festival on July 5 amid the heatwave in Weifang, with some needing to be rushed to the hospital in a 120 ambulance. Medical personnel in white uniforms were seen providing aid, and despite cooling equipment like mist sprayers present, the area remained hot. Firefighters were seen spraying water to help cool down the festival attendees.
According to Jiqum News, students in the dormitories of the East China Campus of Nanshan College in Yantai, Shandong, do not have air conditioning and only rely on small hanging fans. Due to the scorching temperatures, the fans blow hot air, leaving students to cool off by taking showers. One student was taken away by an ambulance after suffering from heatstroke. Many students seek relief in the campus supermarket with air conditioning, as the dormitories are locked at night. They can only stay in the supermarket until around 9 p.m. before being forced to endure the heat all night.
Staff at the East China Campus of Nanshan College in Yantai confirmed cases of students suffering from heatstroke.
On July 4, the Shangqiu Meteorological Observatory in Henan Province issued a red warning for high temperatures, with temperatures soaring above 40°C in the city and surrounding towns.
Reported by the Xinjing News, on July 4, a driver passing through rural roads in Suixian County, Shangqiu, Henan, witnessed the sudden cracking of the cement road surface ahead, narrowly avoiding a three-wheeled vehicle. The local authorities explained that the road ruptured due to the high temperatures.
In Wuhan, where the summer heat has peaked, temperatures have exceeded 40°C since the beginning of the summer, breaking records for the hottest period in nearly 50 years. Such extreme weather conditions are challenging not only for humans but also for birds, as they too are succumbing to the heat.
On July 4, a netizen shared a photo of a bird lying on the ground barely conscious, captioned with the words “This pigeon has fainted from the heat.” The netizen provided water to help the bird recover, highlighting the severe impact of the scorching heat on wildlife.
According to the Xiaoxiang Morning News, the bird that succumbed to the heat was actually a Red-footed Falcon, a small raptor belonging to the falcon family, known for its pigeon-like appearance due to its pointed wings.
As reported by Chinanews.com, due to the ongoing high temperatures, incidents of heatstroke are becoming more frequent. Data from the Wuhan Occupational Disease Prevention and Control Institute revealed that 155 people had sought medical attention for heatstroke this year, with 5 unfortunate deaths reported, marking the first instances of heatstroke-related deaths in three years.
A young man from Xinjiang who had planned to seek relief from the heat in Wuhan found the city to be even hotter than his hometown upon arrival. “I thought Wuhan would be around 30°C, but the heat here is suffocating,” he expressed.
While the intense heat persists, the high-temperature weather map indicates that regions like Guangdong, Zhejiang, and the coastal areas of Fujian have been spared from the scorching temperatures, as they are being affected by Typhoon “Danas.” As of July 5, Typhoon “Danas” was located about 310 kilometers southwest of Cape Eluanbi, Taiwan, with maximum sustained winds approaching 101 kilometers per hour, moving slowly in a north-northeasterly direction and gradually intensifying.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau projected that by the afternoon of July 6, the storm’s strong winds could affect the Penghu Islands south of Chiayi. Chiayi County, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, and Penghu have suspended work and classes. Authorities anticipate heavy rainfall in the southern mountainous areas, prompting the early evacuation of residents in several areas.
The Taiwan military has deployed over 10,000 troops, along with more than 3,000 amphibious assault vehicles and rubber boats, ready for action. China Airlines announced the cancellation of multiple flights between Kaohsiung and Tokyo, Bangkok, Shanghai, and Hong Kong on July 6. Similarly, EVA Air and Tigerair announced the cancellation of several flights on the same day.