China Reels Under Record-Shattering Heatwave, Mercury Soars To 52 Degrees Celsius

The harsh heatwaves in China align with the global trend of extreme temperatures in Europe and North and Central America.

China reels under blistering heatwave

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Amid blistering heatwaves, China recorded its highest-ever temperature on Sunday that has shattered records all summer in the country and across the globe. The remote Sanbao township in the Turpan depression of Xinjiang saw mercury rising up to 52.2 degrees Celsius, as per a report by Independent. The Sunday temperature broke the previous record when 50.3 degrees Celsius temperature was measured in 2015 near Ayding in the depression, a vast basin of sand dunes and dried-up lakes more than 150 metres below sea level.

The country has been hit by a series of climate disasters this year with ongoing heatwaves, extreme rainfall triggering floods and landslides and tropical storm Talim making landfall on Monday.

China’s Mohe, in Heilongjiang province, recorded a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius which comes after the place recorded minus 53 degrees Celsius temperature in January this year amid an extreme cold spell. 

June was the hottest since 2000 in China this year and capital Beijing reeled under 35 degrees Celsius for 14 consecutive days, the highest number of scorching days since records began in 1961, as per the report. 

In recent days, temperatures have repeatedly crossed the highs of 45C in several northern regions, while severe rainfall and flooding have killed dozens in Southwest China.

Heatwaves Push Temperatures High In Europe, US 

The harsh heatwaves in China align with the global trend of extreme temperatures in Europe and North and Central America. Back-to-back heatwaves have soared temperatures higher in southern Europe, with Italy’s Sardinia expected to breach the 48C mark, breaking 2021’s record of the highest temperature in the continent, the report stated. 

Similar situation was reported from the US which too, is grappling with record-breaking heat. On Sunday, California’s Death Valley recorded a temperature of 53 degrees Celsius.

The heat warnings in the US have spread from the Pacific Northwest, down through California, through the Southwest and into the Deep South and Florida, as per the report.