BEIJING: A southwestern part of China which has experienced scorching temperatures this month is now on alert for flooding among days of torrential rainfall.
Downpours in the sprawling production hub of Chongqing and nearby regions of Sichuan province follow severe power shortages in the same localities caused by large use of air conditioning and falling reservoir ranges.
The rain began on Weekend (Aug 28) and it is forecast to extend directly into Tuesday. The government initiated an emergency flood-prevention response in Sichuan plus Chongqing at one thousand GMT (6pm, Singapore time) on Weekend.
Earlier this particular month, the government declared a national drought crisis.
Numerous parts of southern Tiongkok have seen temperatures go beyond 40 degrees Celsius over the past few weeks, in what is widely regarded as the hottest period since the government began obtaining information in 1961.
Chongqing experienced almost three weeks without rain and it has been rationing electricity, crimping result from factories associated with major global companies.
Besides drought, extreme heat across the Yangtze River Pot has also threatened crops close to many cities and localities. Pictures of scorched, mud-baked lakes and dried-up rivers have appeared on social media.