Chinese cities have opened their air raid shelters to the public as emergency cooling centers in response to an unusually high heatwave that has started to claim lives, AP reports.
Record-High Temperatures
Northern China is experiencing record-high temperatures, further exacerbated by drought. Beijing reported over nine straight days with temperatures exceeding 35 degree celsius (95 degree Fahrenheit), a streak unseen since 1961.
Air Raid Shelters as Cooling Centers
Cities including Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Shijiazhuang have opened their air raid shelters to residents seeking to escape the heat. These shelters, many built during the Japanese invasion in 1937, are equipped with seating areas, water, refreshments, heat stroke medicine, and in some cases, Wi-Fi, TV sets, and table tennis equipment.
See Also: “Earth Is Screaming”: Meteorologist Warns Amid Unprecedented Heatwave
Heatwave Fatalities
The extreme heat has resulted in fatalities, with at least two deaths in Beijing attributed to heat stroke. Health authorities in Shaoxing have also recorded heatwave-related deaths.
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