Hong Kong’s meteorological observatory reported on Tuesday that the bustling financial hub has shattered two September heat records in just over a week.
The Hong Kong Observatory said that the afternoon of September 1st saw a temperature of 35.4 degrees Celsius (95.7 Fahrenheit), “once again surpassing the record for the highest temperature in September” since records began being kept in 1884.
On Monday, the temperature reached 35.30 degrees Celsius, breaking a record that had stood since 1963.
The observatory also predicted that this week and the beginning of next week would be sunny and hot because of dry air from the Chinese mainland.
The southern region of China saw its longest stretch of above-average temperatures in over 60 years last month, causing widespread power outages and drought that have hampered the region’s agricultural and industrial sectors.
Temperatures were consistently above 40 degrees Celsius in many regions last month, and experts have warned that this heatwave has the potential to become one of the most severe ever recorded worldwide.
The mainland has been experiencing more scorching temperatures, but humid Hong Kong has nonetheless been baking this summer.
The average temperature from June through August was 29.2C, making this the fourth warmest summer in the city’s history.
Many of the 220,000 individuals who are considered to be the poorest live in overcrowded conditions in rooftop huts, micro-apartments, and “cage homes” with no or very little air conditioning, making the hot weather very difficult for them.
Mahnur is MS(development Studies)Student at NUST University, completed BS Hons in Eng Literature. Content Writer, Policy analyst, Climate Change specialist, Teacher, HR Recruiter.
