Heatwaves and droughts in China are severely impacting the lives of many people. In some cases, live shrimp have been cooked during the journey home from the market.
The scorching weather, combined with placing shopping bags on the hot pavement and the burning seats of electric bikes, has led to some shrimp being cooked – (Photo: SCMP).
On August 16, the China Meteorological Administration issued a red alert (the highest level) for heatwaves across the country. Regions such as Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Hubei, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang are forecasted to experience temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius.
A woman named Fang from the city of Xinyang in Henan Province (central China) discovered that the shrimp she bought from the supermarket had cooked within less than an hour of purchase due to the intense heat. Some of them turned red as outdoor temperatures soared to 41 degrees Celsius.
Ms. Fang shared that the shrimp purchased from the supermarket were still alive and looked very fresh. However, the combination of the hot weather and placing shopping bags on the “boiling” pavement, along with the scorching seats of her electric bike, caused the shrimp to be cooked.
According to Bloomberg News, the drought has also forced hydropower plants in southwestern China to shut down due to depleted reservoirs. Hundreds of hectares of crops in these areas have wilted due to water shortages and rising temperatures.
Drought images on the Yangtze River in Chongqing (southwestern China) – (Photo: AP).
The drought situation will pose new challenges for China alongside its slowing economic growth. In the first half of 2022, the country’s economy grew by only 2.5%, falling short of the annual target of 5.5%.
Fire trucks dispatched to a village in Wushan County, Chongqing (China) – (Photo: AP)
Additionally, solar panel, cement, and urea manufacturers in Sichuan have either shut down or reduced production after being asked to cut electricity consumption for up to 5 days. This is due to declining reservoir levels and increased electricity demand for air conditioning during the heatwave.
Solar panel manufacturer Tongwei Solar Co. Ltd. stated that the shutdown of hydropower plants will not have a significant impact on China.
Last year, the country also faced a similar situation regarding hydropower plants in Guangdong.
