Heatwave hits Chinese capital as El Nino summer looms

BEIJING, CHINA - JUNE 16: Chinese capital Beijing has been facing extremely hot weather in recent weeks as heatwave has engulfed much of the northern parts of the country.The city saw a mid-June temperature record of 39.4 degrees Celsius (103 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday (June 16) as residents were advised to stay indoors by the meteorological authority.State news agency Xinhua said on Friday (June 16) that, eight provincial-level capitals had recorded their highest temperatures of the year.In a statement on social media, the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) stated, the temperature at Beijing's Nanjiao Observatory reached 39.4 degrees Celsius, smashing the previous high mark for mid-June.Authorities in Beijing issued an orange alert – the second-highest in the four-tier system.CMA warned that Beijing would see temperatures exceeding 37 degrees Celsius in the next few days."People in Beijing streets tried to protect themselves from the scorching sun by using umbrellas, hats with visors, veils, and long-sleeved clothing.China has staged its first-ever emergency drill to ensure it can handle large-scale power outages in its eastern region, according to South China Morning Post. (Footage by Emre Aytekin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)