Overview

• Chongqing authorities raised the heatwave warning to red after daily highs exceeded 40 °C for a week.
• Forecasters predict 21 of the city’s 38 districts will reach up to 43 °C with a 44 °C peak expected this weekend.
• Electricity demand has surged past 1.5 billion kilowatts, straining China’s national power grid.
• Retirees shelter in air-conditioned subway stations, swimmers cool off in Yangtze tributaries and diners retreat to naturally chilled bomb shelters.
• Since May, the number of days above 35 °C has doubled the historical average, underscoring intensifying summer heat extremes.