BEIJING (AFP) – Swathes of northern China sweltered in 40-degree-Celsius (˚C) heat yesterday, weather data showed, as parts of Beijing and the nearby megacity of Tianjin recorded their highest temperatures for years.
Scientists say rising global temperatures – caused largely by burning fossil fuels – are aggravating extreme weather worldwide, and many countries in Asia have experienced deadly heatwaves and record temperatures in recent weeks.
A weather station in Tanghekou in northern Beijing logged 41.8˚C early yesterday afternoon, making it the hottest place in the country, according to local state-backed media outlet Beijing News.
Another station in the south of the city chalked up its first 40˚C day in nearly a decade, while highs of 40.6˚C represented the hottest June day ever recorded in Tianjin’s Xiqing district.
“It never used to get this hot in June before, but now it’s so hot my hands are trembling,” wrote one user on the Weibo social media platform.
“Are there three suns blazing over Beijing right now? It’s hot enough to cause a breakdown,” wrote another.
