For those of you who stepped outside over the weekend, you may have noticed that it was hot. Really, really hot. 39 degrees Celsius hot. Well, we’ve got some bad news: it’s only going to get worse.
Shanghai is about to experience its hottest week of the year, which will bring both rain and shine, but in the most unpleasant proportions imaginable. As temperatures are expected to hit 40 degrees Celsius within the next few days, intermittent thunderstorms will serve only to increase humidity, rather than cool things down. Much like how it somehow managed to hail last week in Pudong, despite the fact that temperatures were in the mid-to-high thirties.
We hoped that the city’s meteorologists were exaggerating when they predicted that there would be nearly a month of above-35 degree days, but their forecasts have been miserably accurate.
Since the heat looks as if it’s here to stay, city officials are reminding citizens that these sort of temperatures can be extremely dangerous. While anyone can suffer from heat stroke, senior citizens, especially those who suffer from dementia or are immobile, are at particularly high risk. In preparation for the rising temperatures, the city is making sure community members from each neighborhood are checking on the living conditions of their elderly residents.
Another potentially dangerous side effect of the scorching heat is an increase in dog attacks. Generally affectionate household pets are often just as temperamental as their owners in the sweltering heat, and might lash out when people invade their space. Shanghai Punan Hospital saw 39.2% more dog attacks in the last three months than during the winter months of 2017.
On the bright side, some of the city’s most popular destinations are likely going to be crowd-free as people retreat indoors to their air conditioned havens (otherwise known as IKEA). If you’ve always wanted to have a meal with a view but haven’t made it to any of Shanghai’s superb restaurants, do not fear. Simply bring some utensils to your favorite outdoor attraction and start cooking.
And, if you’re interested in cooling off in the coming days, you can head to one of the area’s many water parks. But, be forewarned: you won’t be the only person to have that idea. This past weekend, pools and water slides alike across China were packed with eager citizens hoping to catch a break from the unbearable heat.
By Emma Abrams
[Images via ECNS]
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