Red Alert Raised in Shanghai as Drought, Extreme Heat at 105 Degrees Persist

The largest city in China, Shanghai, which is situated on the country's central coast, experienced a dangerous heat wave this week that caused temperatures to soar past the century mark. In the city, the intense heat prompted a red alert that hadn't been sent out in five years, forcing many to take drastic safety measures.

Shanghai and the Rest of China

While this was happening, a different disaster occurred elsewhere in the nation, with flooding and rain in eastern China leaving many people missing and several people dead.

By late July or even August, the eastern provinces of China may experience this kind of persistent heat. However, major commercial hubs like Shanghai have already experienced several days with temperatures of 100°F or higher over the past week. Due to the extreme heat, locals have had to resort to taking refuge underground in raid shelters to stay safe.

In the Jiangsu province city of Liyang, which is roughly 193 km west of Shanghai, temperatures soared to 105 F on Monday. Temperatures in the Zhejiang province reached record highs on Tuesday. In parts of Lishui, a city south of Shanghai, the temperature soared to an astounding 106 F. Temperatures of this magnitude are approximately 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above average for this time of year at both locations.

The total number of fatalities has not yet been disclosed, but residents of the provinces of Jiangsu, Henan, Fujian, Sichuan, and Heilongjiang were hospitalized in large numbers as a result of heat-related illnesses.

First Red Alert in Five Years

The Chinese Meteorological Administration issued red alerts on Tuesday afternoon, the highest level of a three-tier warning system, for 86 cities. A red alert is issued when it is anticipated that the temperature will rise above 104 F within the next 24 hours. For Shanghai, this was the city's first red alert in the previous five years.

In Shanghai, particularly in areas to the north of the city, air quality levels have risen to unhealthy levels as temperatures have risen, heightening the dangers. Due to the stagnant air in the area, the concentration of air pollutants and particulate matter has increased.

Property Damage

Reuters reports that Chongqing, a city in southwest-central China along the Yangtze River, experienced extreme heat on Monday, which led to the melting of some of the roof tiles, forcing the closure of a museum.

This week, the heat is said to have caused roads in the Jiangxi province of southeast China to buck. A section of road reportedly rose 6 inches from the ground, according to Reuters.

The heat is not anticipated to abate in the upcoming days, AccuWeather meteorologists report.

According to Nicholls, the jet stream can help provide some relief from Shanghai to Fujian on Friday due to a southward dip that is pressing over the Korean peninsula and southern Japan.

As the jet stream continues to build up over northern China, it is predicted that interior provinces to the west of Shanghai will continue to be hot through the end of this week. However, according to forecasters tracking the heat wave, Saturday and Sunday should bring about widespread relief.

According to Nicholls, the jet stream ridge will break down this weekend, providing relief for all regions.

Casualties, Deaths, Missing People

Dangerous flooding also hit the provinces of Heilongjiang and Sichuan this week, adding to the extreme heat. According to a local news report from northeastern China, excessive rainfall in Wudalianchi City's Dongfeng Village caused one person to pass away and eight others to go missing. In the Sichuan province's Pingwu County, flooding is said to have resulted in the deaths of three people and the disappearance of five others.

This week, dangerous flooding as well as an intense heat wave affected the provinces of Heilongjiang and Sichuan. According to a local news report from northeastern China, excessive rainfall in Wudalianchi City's Dongfeng Village caused one person to pass away and eight others to go missing. According to reports, flooding in the Pingwu County of the Sichuan province resulted in the deaths of three people and the disappearance of five others.

Nicholls said that the heavy rain looks to ease in Heilongjiang, but a slow-moving area of low pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere will keep a threat of storms and rain showers bearing through the province into the weekend with some areas experiencing flashfloods due to local downpours.