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Li Hailong set out on an electric bike at about 8 am on Thursday to deliver packages across Beijing.
By 2 pm, the Quanfeng Express deliveryman had made his usual 90-odd trips in the capital's Dongcheng district, but at a building near busy Wangfujing he was hit by a bout of dizziness.
Li was one of many Beijingers who felt the full force of the capital's hottest May day for more than 60 years.
Temperatures in the capital topped 40 C and even climbed above 42 C in some areas, breaking the record for May set in 1951, the China Meteorological Administration said.
Li said, "It's really hard to ride in this heat, but we have to make a living."
Temperatures in neighboring Tianjin and Shijiazhuang in Hebei province rose above 39 C on Thursday, also the highest in May for the past 60 years.
Beijing Meteorological Bureau issued its highest-level red alert, the first of its kind this year.
Under the alert, authorities call for power suppliers and fire departments to be on the alert, for a halt to outdoor work and activities, and for classes to be suspended at kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools.
Sun Jisong, the bureau's chief forecaster, said, "The hottest days are more likely to occur from the end of May and in June. Skin can become burnt easily because of low humidity levels outdoors and strong solar radiation."
Hospitals and medical workers reported an increase in the number of people seeking treatment on Thursday because of the heat.
Zhou Rongbin, director of the emergency department at the General Hospital of Beijing PLA Military Region, said, "The extremely hot weather can cause heatstroke, making people feel dizzy and also causing vomiting."
More elderly patients, especially those with gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disease, sought treatment, Zhou said, adding that people should drink more water and try to stay indoors.
Nursing homes and kindergartens took measures to prevent heatstroke.
"We've prepared cold drinks for the elderly and suggested that they avoid outside activities," said Zhang Hui, an employee at Yanda Golden Age Nursing Center in Beijing.
A teacher surnamed Zheng at a kindergarten in the capital's Chaoyang district said all outdoor activities had been transferred indoors.
Temperatures in the capital were forecast to drop to about 35 C on Friday with cooler weather also expected during the weekend.
Contact the writers at fanfeifei@chinadaily.com.cn and wangxiaodong@chinadaily.com.cn
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A carton acts as a shield against the sun in Beijing on Thursday, when temperatures reached 42 C, the highest in the city during May since 1951. Xiong Ran / China News Service |
