As major parts of the Chinese capital Beijing are experiencing high temperatures lately, the municipal education authorities have asked local schools to refrain from organizing large-scale outdoor activities in order to ensure the well-being of the students.

On Friday night, relevant authorities released a notice outlining specific measures to modify the timing of outdoor activities for students and to reduce or even suspend classes during periods of high-temperature weather. Starting Sunday, after the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday, schools are advised not to organize extensive outdoor activities for students due to the sweltering heat, according to the notice.

Beijing issued a red alert for high temperatures on Friday, the highest in China's alert system, as a scorching heatwave hit the city.

As of Saturday, data from Beijing's representative temperature monitoring station shows that the highest daily temperature in the city exceeded 40 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days, the first time in the city's temperature monitoring history.

The heatwave that has swept across northern China coincides with the traditional Dragon Boat Festival, a popular time for tourists. Many tourist sites across the country are offering sightseers free water and medicine to help them cope with the heat.

Besides issuing high temperature alerts, many places in northern China have advised residents to reduce outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day and asked them to take precautions when working outside.

Meteorological departments in China have also issued guidelines to residents on how to ensure health during scorching weather and prevent heat-related diseases, such as drinking more fluids, improving airflow, taking enough rest breaks, reducing outdoor activities and seeking emergency medical help if necessary.

For more:

Climate archive: Why is it so hot in northern China this year?

(Cover image via VCG, with input from Xinhua)

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