High temperatures scorch China, spiking power demand

BEIJING — Various regions in China continue to bake as temperatures remain elevated, especially in the country's east, where excessive heat is expected to linger in the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang as well as in financial hub Shanghai.

In the east and northwest of China, temperatures as high as 43.9 degree Celsius have scorched Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Anhui, Xinjiang in recent days, state broadcaster CCTV said.

China Meteorological Administration said some localities in Xinjiang's Turpan Basin, southern Anhui, and central and western Zhejiang, temperatures could rise above 40C.

The observatory of Zhejiang's capital Hangzhou recorded a 41.9C historical high on Saturday, with 40-42C temperatures forecast till Monday.

Many areas around the Yangtze River delta can expect sizzling weather of above 37C in the coming days after daily maximum temperatures at seven national weather stations breached local historical extremes.

Jiangsu's observatory issued a red warning for heat on Sunday after high temperatures which had persisted for more than a week further intensified. The mercury could reach 40C in cities of Wuxi, Changzhou, and Zhenjiang, CCTV said.

With such extreme heat, people have commanded higher electricity usage as many resorted to air-conditioning to keep themselves cool. The spike in electricity demand could threaten a supply crunch.

Zhejiang's State Grid since last month began recommending electric vehicle owners charge their vehicles late at night to stagger electricity use from daily peak hours, as summer temperatures rose.

It also advised people to turn off air-conditioning when temperatures were milder.

The national weather forecaster on Monday cautioned of potential fire hazards caused by excessive power consumption and excessive electrical loads.

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