The worst heat wave in 140 years is baking parts of China, leaving dozens dead and pushing the mercury above 104 degrees in at least 40 cities. Temperatures are so hot that people have been grilling shrimp on manhole covers. A highway billboard has also mysteriously caught fire and eggs are hatching without incubators.
The extreme heat began in early July and is expected to grip much of China through August. Shanghai set its record high temperature of 105 degrees on July 26 and Thursday marked the city’s 28th day above 95 degrees. At least 10 people have died from heat stroke in the last month.
Tuesday, the director of China Meteorological Administration declared a level 2 emergency, requiring around-the-clock staffing and the establishment of an emergency command center.