Shanghai hits record high temperatures
Shanghai experienced its hottest day on record on Friday, as the temperature surged to 40.9 C.
The highest temperature was reported at 1:59 pm on Friday, shortly after the Shanghai Meteorological Service issued the first red alert for high temperature this year. The temperature also broke the 145-year-old record kept by the meteorological station in the Xujiahui area.
The previous record was 40.8 C on Aug 7, 2013.
Before the red alert, the city had issued 10 orange alerts this summer and reported 15 days with highs of 35 C or above.
The meteorological department said that, influenced by the western Pacific subtropical high, the city’s temperature won’t see an obvious drop for the coming week. Also, there is a high possibility for the mercury to continue to surge beyond 40 C for the next four days.
The municipal government has been quick to respond to the sweltering weather and moved to protect vulnerable groups, including the elderly and homeless.
The Civil Affairs Bureau issued a notice earlier this week asking the districts and neighborhoods to care for vulnerable groups. Special teams were sent to persuade the homeless to seek shelter at rescue stations during summer, and offer food, drinks and other necessities to help cool off those declining to be taken to the stations.
The high temperature also boosted businesses such as food delivery.
Yang Senlin, a deliveryman with the Meituan food delivery platform, said: “Food orders always increase on such hightemperature days and we have no chance to avoid working under the sun.”
However, Yang said that they received a 200 yuan ($29.40) allowance for working in high temperature and the company provides free water and sunshade gloves to help them cool off.