Chinese Cities Open Air Raid Shelters to Combat Deadly Heatwaves

Cities in China, including Hangzhou, Wuhan, and Shijiazhuang, have opened their air raid shelters to provide relief from the extreme heat as record-high temperatures and drought conditions continue to affect the country. Beijing has experienced over nine consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 35°C, the longest streak since 1961. Health authorities have reported deaths attributed to the heat, and health alerts have been issued. The air raid shelters, originally built during the Japanese invasion in the 1930s, now serve as public cooling centers equipped with amenities such as seating areas, water, refreshments, and heat stroke medicine.