Chinese provinces ensure power, water supply in summer heat

Authorities are taking measures to ensure power and water supply as eastern and central Chinese provinces continue to brave the heat this week.

In Jiaxing City of east China's Zhejiang Province, the highest temperature in recent days reached 38 degrees Celsius. Relevant departments have increased the frequency of circuit maintenance tasks to ensure the safe provision of electricity. The maintenance workers have employed drones and electric lifting devices similar to elevators, which can send operators to a height of 100 meters. The high-tech equipment not only saves the physical strength of maintenance personnel, but also shortens maintenance time.

"The live-line operation used to take two hours. Now, we use drones and electric lifting devices, and the entire operation takes about half an hour, which also greatly improves our maintenance quality and efficiency," said Zhang Xin, a tech staff with the State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company.

Starting on August 1, central China's Hunan Province issued high temperature warnings for six consecutive days, with the highest temperature in many places reaching 39 degrees Celsius. To meet the water demand of residents during the peak period, the city's water department has made a special water supply plan and strengthened the monitoring of urban water consumption.

To avoid the adverse effects of continued high temperature on urban landscaping, Dong'an County of Zhejiang's Yongzhou City waters the plants both in the morning and evening in order to reduce water evaporation and improve watering efficiency.

In Jurong City of east China's Jiangsu Province, 23 "Love Stations" have been set up to provide outdoor workers a place to cool off and rest, reducing the possibility of heat stroke.

At the construction site of the Jurong section of the National Highway 312 Expressway Reconstruction Project, the construction company provided the workers with "cooling vehicles," so that everyone could take turns to cool down in the vehicles. The company also adjusted the working hours to avoid working outside during high temperature periods.

(Cover is a still)