Hot weather brings wave of health problems (2)

（China Daily）  08:31, July 05, 2013  

She suggested people avoid prolonged exposure to the high temperature and to set air-conditioners at a proper temperature, above 25 C.

Cities in central and southern regions, including Hangzhou in Zhejiang province and Chongqing, opened air-conditioned shelters for residents to cool down in community centers.

The soaring temperature is also driving up the sale of fruit, especially watermelons, in Beijing's Xinfadi wholesale market, northern China's largest agricultural produce distribution center.

"The peak season for watermelons is coming," market worker Liu Tong said.

While the dry weather became a good signal for fruit sellers, firefighters in Beijing worry about the dry conditions.

The Shanghai Meteorological Bureau issued a yellow alert on Wednesday — meaning the city's highest temperature would be above 35 C in three consecutive days.

"Wednesday's highest temperature is between 36 and 37 C, slightly lower than Tuesday, but the city won't see any rainfall until Friday and over the weekend," said Fu Yi, a chief service officer with the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau.

According to Fu, the scorching hot days would only be broken by intermittent thunderstorms starting on Friday. On Saturday, the mercury is expected to drop to about 32 C.