Stop the presses! City on 'black hot alert'
Terror threat advisory remains 'elevated'
As the mercury rises to historic levels in Shanghai, Shanghaiist has a modest proposal -- why don't our attractive neighbors start walking the streets in their underwear?
The temperature hit 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) yesterday, which officially puts us at 'black alert' status, according to the Shanghai Daily. Some are reporting that this is the hottest Shanghai has been in early July since 1934. And a quick look at the Shanghaiist weather center shows relief isn't coming soon. In Shanghai, it's not just the heat, it's not just the humidity -- it's the heat and the humidity. The temperature currently is 36 degress (96.8 F), but it feels like 41 (105.8 F). And Shanghaiist lives with someone who is on her way to Gaelic football practice. Jaysus!
As was feared, a surge in power demand caused blackouts in Shanghai -- one of which trapped a Putuo District girl in an elevator. She was rescue unharmed. The Shanghai Daily reports the city used a record 15.81 million kilowatts yesterday, the third time the record has been broken in the past week.
Shanghai is not the only Chinese city suffering from the heat. Civil servants in Beijing have been told to wear casual clothes to work in an effort to cut down on air conditioner usage. "It is the first time that Chinese civil servants have been asked to dress in casual clothes instead of the Western-style suits and neckties adopted by most government employees," the Associated Press reports.
UPDATE: Sunday was even hotter -- 39 degrees -- the hottest July 3 in more than 100 years.
Image courtesy of China Daily.