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HONG KONG: Hong Kong recorded its hottest summer solstice on record on Friday (June 21), with a subtropical ridge pushing temperatures to 34 degrees Celsius.
The Shanghai Meteorological Observatory said: “The highest temperature recorded by the observatory was 34 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature so far this year, tying the highest record set during the summer solstice in 1980.”
Last year, the Chinese financial hub experienced its hottest summer on record, with the average temperature in August reaching 29.7 degrees Celsius.
The three hottest years in Hong Kong’s history all occurred after 2018.
Scientists warn that extreme heat waves will become more frequent and intense around the world due to human-induced climate change.
The observatory issued a “very hot weather” warning on Friday, with health officials urging the public to drink plenty of water and take steps to avoid heat stroke.
Authorities said 19 temporary shelters would remain open for people to stay overnight.
Hong Kong has stressed the need to protect workers from heat stress in recent years, but has yet to enact legal safeguards.
The city’s laws do not list heat stroke as a work-related injury, and activists say government statistics underestimate the number of workers who die from it.
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