Swathes of northern China sweltered in 40-degree heat, weather data showed, as parts of Beijing and the nearby megacity of Tianjin recorded their highest temperatures for years.
Scientists say rising global temperatures, caused largely by burning fossil fuels, are aggravating extreme weather worldwide, and many countries in Asia have experienced deadly heatwaves and record temperatures in recent weeks.
A weather station in northern Beijing, a city of nearly 22 million people, logged 41.8C, making it the hottest place in the country, according to local state-backed media outlet Beijing News.
Beijing raised an orange alert, the second-highest weather warning, saying temperatures could be as high as 39C from today to Saturday.
Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and Shandong in northern and eastern China were also hammered by heatwaves last week, with the national weather bureau issuing an alert for heat stroke, almost a fortnight earlier than in previous years.
In Tianjin, a port city with a population of more than 13 million, increased demand for air-conditioning pushed its power grid load to 14.54 million kilowatts on 15 June, up 23% from a year earlier.
Temperatures in Tianjin's urban district reached 41.2C, smashing local records. An orange alert was issued, with officials warning the public to take precautions against heat-induced strokes.
One user on the Weibo social media platform wrote: "It never used to get this hot in June before, but now it's so hot my hands are trembling,"
"Are there three suns blazing over Beijing right now? It's hot enough to cause a breakdown," wrote another.
The scorching heat has coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival, a time when many Chinese go outside and socialise.
With temperatures in the high 30s forecast throughout the three-day public holiday, authorities have urged people to limit their time outdoors.
Beijing's weather authority issued an orange warning for extreme heat and urged people to "avoid exercising outdoors for long periods... and take effective measures to shield from the sun".
