China's National Meteorological Center on Saturday issued an orange alert, the second most severe alert for high temperatures in seven provincial-level regions in the country, including Hebei, Henan and Shanxi, where temperatures of some areas are likely to exceed 40 C.

Temperature in some places in North China, western Inner Mongolia and central Hainan Province reached 35 C on Friday, whilst the temperatures in Hebei, Henan is projected to soar to 40 C on Saturday and Sunday.

Authorities urged people to take precautionary measures and reduce outdoor activities for specific workers, like construction and sanitation workers.

Experts previously predicted that the continuous high temperature in northern China, home to food plantations, is likely to exert some impact on local agricultural production. In some places the high temperatures may pressure irrigation.

As large swathes of China now enters scorching and humid summertime, relevant authorities urged local governments to heighten vigilance in case the high temperatures cause excess use of electricity, and the pressured power load may cause fire.

Global Times