Unprecedented heat in southern China forces to reduce the production of gadgets and cars

The consequences of another climate cataclysm in China are reported by Quartz . “This will likely have as much, if not more, impact than the lockdown earlier this year in Shanghai and nearby Kunshan,” experts said.

The fact is that China has been at the highest level of danger due to heat for eight days in a row, according to the Central Meteorological Administration of the country. Abnormally hot weather persists for 64 days in a row, the previous record of 62 days was set in 2013.

For example, in the province of Hubei in central China, a temperature of 44.6 ° C was recorded, in Chongqing - 44.5 ° C, in Yunnan - 44 ° C. In some regions of the country, the heat will last at least another 7-10 days.

Sichuan, an important industrial region, accounts for 15% of China's total polysilicon production, is where Apple's iPads are assembled, Volkswagen and Toyota factories are located, and key auto components for Tesla electric vehicles and SAIC Motor, the country's largest automaker, are produced.

Power supply in Sichuan province is 80% dependent on hydroelectric power, but the water level in the Yangtze - Asia's longest river - has dropped to a record high amid abnormal weather in southern China. To prevent power outages, the province ordered the suspension of production at all factories in most cities in the region from 15 to 21 August.

This week, the output of at least three enterprises producing fertilizers decreased, and a large metallurgical plant also announced a halt in production.