Eastern China is reeling under an intense and unusually early heatwave, with large swathes of the country’s economic and agricultural core experiencing searing temperatures between 37°C and 39°C and some areas bracing for highs above 40°C. The scorching conditions are being driven by a subtropical high-pressure system that has settled over the densely populated Yangtze River region, hitting provinces like Anhui, Zhejiang, Hubei, and Henan.
This premature onset of the “Sanfu Season” the hottest period of the Chinese calendar, usually starting mid-July is raising fears of crop damage, industrial disruption, and mounting public health risks.
Experts are linking the extreme temperatures to climate change, warning of compounding impacts on key sectors. Agricultural yields are at risk of decline due to withering crops, while manufacturing and port operations across eastern China could face slowdowns or temporary shutdowns. Authorities are urging caution as extreme heat and humidity during working hours and daily commutes raise the danger of heatstroke, especially for outdoor laborers.
China has faced worsening heat events in recent years. In 2022, the country recorded its worst heatwave in six decades, lasting 79 days. While China does not officially report heat-related death figures, a 2023 Lancet report estimated that over 50,000 deaths occurred in China in 2022 due to heatwaves double the number from the previous year.
As eastern China swelters, the contrast is stark in other regions. Torrential rains have battered parts of northern and southwestern China. In Chengdu, social media footage showed residents navigating flooded streets by canoe, highlighting the nation’s increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events.
The dual threat of heatwaves and floods underscores the urgent need for climate resilience strategies across China’s industrial and agricultural zones, as weather volatility intensifies across the globe.