China Issues Highest Level Emergency Response to Heat

　　China's national meteorological bureau has issued its highest level emergency response to the current heatwave gripping parts of China.

 

　　The sizzling weather in Shanghai has so far claimed at least 10 lives.

 

　　CRI's Zhang Shuangfeng has more.

 

　　It's the first time this year the Meteorological Administration has issued a level-two emergency response, the highest of its kind.

 

　　It covers 9 provinces and municipalities in eastern and central China.

 

　　Summer heat wave has gripped China with temperatures over 35 degrees Celsius¹ over the past week.

 

　　In the city of Turpan in Xinjiang, temperatures hit a record of 44.3-degrees, making it the country's hottest city.

 

　　Shanghai has recorded its hottest July in 140 years.

 

　　Wu Rui is the head of the city's meteorological bureau.

 

　　"There have been 24 high temperature days in July this year. It should be a new record since Shanghai had its own weather recording². Also, in July of this year Shanghai reached 40.6 degrees Celsius, its highest ever temperature. So the highest temperature in July also broke a record."

 

　　Two elderly people died from heatstroke in a local hospital over the weekend.

 

　　Local hospitals have also been inundated³ with a soaring number of people suffering from heat-related illnesses.

 

　　The heat in Shanghai has many people looking for different ways to beat-the-heat.

 

　　"It's impossible for people to live without an air-conditioner. Just going outside in this kind of temperate⁴ can roast people. So I always stay in the office with an air-conditioner. We came here to avoid the summer heat. It's much cooler in the water."

 

　　Continuous summer heat has also triggered severe drought in Hunan Province.

 

　　Half a million people in parts of the province are also finding it difficult to access drinking water due to the drought brought on by the heat.

 

　　Forecasters are warning temperatures will continue to climb in early August.

 

　　This has led to warnings of heatstroke and fires.

 

　　Authorities are also recommending people find ways to stay cool and limit their outdoor activities.

 

　　For CRI, this is Zhang Shuangfeng.

1 Celsius   

adj.摄氏温度计的，摄氏的

参考例句：

• The temperature tonight will fall to seven degrees Celsius.今晚气温将下降到七摄氏度。
• The maximum temperature in July may be 36 degrees Celsius.七月份最高温度可能达到36摄氏度。

2 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

3 inundated   

v.淹没( inundate的过去式和过去分词 )；（洪水般地）涌来；充满；给予或交予（太多事物）使难以应付

参考例句：

• We have been inundated with offers of help. 主动援助多得使我们应接不暇。
• We have been inundated with every bit of information imaginable. 凡是想得到的各种各样的信息潮水般地向我们涌来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 temperate   

adj.温和的，温带的，自我克制的，不过分的

参考例句：

• Asia extends across the frigid,temperate and tropical zones.亚洲地跨寒、温、热三带。
• Great Britain has a temperate climate.英国气候温和。