Shanghai's sizzling temperatures, topping up to 40 degrees Celsius, triggered this year's first red heat alert on Sunday.



The local meteorological bureau issued a second-lowest orange alert around 9am, and updated it to red, the highest in its three-tier system, at 2:15pm as the temperature reached more than 40 degrees.



More "dog days" with temperatures around 40 degrees are predicted for the next 10 days, which includes the two-day-long high school entrance examination period, which will fall on Monday and Tuesday. Lows in those days will be around 30 degrees.



The heatwave is caused by the subtropical high-pressure system, which is becoming stronger, according to the bureau.



The heatwave could cause serious heat stroke which will lead to headache, dehydration and even organ failure.



The Shanghai Health Promotion Center reminds local residents to avoid long-term heatwave exposure, stay in cool indoor places, drink more water (instead of beverage with too much sugar and alcohol), avoid going out at noon, and change facial masks frequently.



If people, such as those who need to work outside, suffer from heat stroke, they should be evacuated from the high temperature environment immediately, moved to a cool and ventilated place to lie down, rest, drink water, and seek medical help.







Source: Shanghai Daily