Chongqing Swelters Under Record-Breaking Heatwave, Residents Seek Refuge
Table of Contents
Chongqing, China – Temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius have gripped Chongqing, a major southwestern metropolis renowned for its vibrant culinary scene and futuristic skyline. the relentless heat is prompting innovative coping mechanisms among its nearly 32 million residents as the city experiences an unprecedented heatwave.Many are seeking cool havens to escape the oppressive conditions.
Residents Seek Air-Conditioned Sanctuaries
liu Fengying, a 60-year-old resident, described the escalating temperatures. She found relief by joining around 100 other retirees in the air-conditioned comfort of a subway entrance, playing cards and sharing snacks. “Aside from coming here, there’s really no other way to avoid the heat,” Liu stated, highlighting the difficulty in finding respite even indoors.
Power Grid Under Strain Amidst Extreme Heat
The extreme weather conditions are placing significant pressure on China’s national power grid. Demand has surged to record highs, surpassing 1.5 billion kilowatts, with records being broken four times in July alone.This surge underscores the widespread impact of the ongoing heatwave across the nation.
Chongqing Issues Highest Heat Alert
Following a week of daily peaks surpassing 40 degrees Celsius, Chongqing elevated its heatwave warning to a red alert, the highest level.Projections indicate that 21 of its 38 districts could reach up to 43 degrees Celsius, with a peak of 44 degrees Celsius anticipated for Sunday. This marks a significant deviation from historical norms, where July peaks rarely exceeded 39 degrees Celsius.
