China sets new temperature record

Scientists predict that China and many other countries in Asia need to prepare measures to cope with extremely hot weather in the summer of 2024.

China has been facing a severe heat wave for several days, with temperatures reaching 42 degrees Celsius in northern Hebei Province on June 12, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC). More than 20 weather stations in Hebei Province and eastern Shandong Province recorded seasonal record highs in the first 10 days of June. On June 11, the NMC issued a warning about the impact of high temperatures on energy supply, farming and people's health.

Heatwave conditions are forecast to continue across northern China until June 20, with temperatures likely to equal or exceed previous records in Hebei and Shanxi provinces as well as central Henan province.

China has also experienced unusually warm weather for much of the year so far, with average temperatures from March to May at their highest since data collection began in 1961, data showed.

Not only China, other Asian countries such as India and Thailand have also experienced prolonged heat waves in the past few months. Northern India is struggling with prolonged extreme heat conditions, with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius in late May. The Indian Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on June 1 that it has recorded nearly 25,000 cases of heatstroke and 56 deaths since March.

Other countries such as Pakistan and Thailand are also affected by severe heat waves.

Since April, many areas in Asia have been submerged in record heat, killing hundreds of people, damaging crops and forcing many schools to close to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

Scientists warn that climate change, manifested as global warming, is increasing extreme weather events, including more frequent and severe heat waves, droughts, floods, rising sea levels and glaciers melting faster.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that 2024 is likely to be another record-breaking hot year, "breaking" the heat record set in 2023. However, the organization believes that the return of the La Nina weather phenomenon this year could bring cooler weather to some areas of the Earth.