Beating the heat
Shanghai is typically never this warm in the summer and the ongoing heatwave has compelled people to find unusual ways of beating the heat — this year, dozens of residents have resorted to napping on the Bund in a bid to catch the occasional sea breeze.
The 40.9 C recorded on July 21 was the highest since Shanghai started meteorological records 145 years ago. The highest temperature for 11 consecutive days (from July 18 to 28) was over 37 C, another historical record.
The Shanghai Meteorological Center issued at least 16 orange heat-wave alerts (for temperatures over 37 C) and three red ones (over 40 C) in July. The extreme weather has caused at least four deaths and numerous reports of heatstroke and other illnesses in the city.
Air conditioning units have naturally been working in overdrive. According to the authorities, electricity usage spiked to 32.7 million kilowatts, the highest level in the city since it began keeping records. In a bid to curb energy usage, authorities have resorted to switching off the lights of iconic buildings, such as the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower, after 7:30 pm.
Orders for food deliveries have also grown exponentially. Ele.me, a Chinese food delivery company, has seen a 204 percent rise in deliveries from June to July compared to the same period last year. The sale of watermelons in July, a fruit favored for its thirst-quenching properties, hit a staggering 300,000 tons, a 40 percent increase from June.
During summers, residents who do not have air conditioners typically gather outside their homes to chat or play a game of mahjong, chess or cards with a small fan in hand. It has become a way of life for many and it is one that dates back to the days when most of the population lived in shikumen and did not own air conditioners.
Back during those simpler times, residents turned to different foods to beat the heat. Ice-lollies made with salt water were a cheap but effective snack. Watermelons chilled with freshly drawn water from the well were also popular.
