The National Meteorological Center (NMC) has extended a heat wave alert issued on Monday for parts of central, eastern and northern China. Meteorologists announced on Tuesday that the heat wave is expected to persist until Wednesday before there would be any real chances of respite.

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Throughout the country many people have thronged to the sea side and swimming pools to escape the scorching summer heat. The heat wave has affected businesses in parts of the country as people have generally stayed indoors during peak working hours.

The temperature reached about 42 degrees Celsius in Beijing on Monday, according to Xinhua. China Meteorological Administration (CMA) has announced that the temperature reached up to 35 degrees Celsius in several provinces in central and eastern China, while the northern part of the country saw temperatures reach about 41 degrees Celsius, Asia One reported.

The last time the country experienced such extreme temperatures was in 2013, when more than 40 cities recorded temperatures of about 40 degrees Celsius and above. During that heat wave - as in this one - authorities issued a yellow alert; the country's second most severe weather warning.

The latest heat wave has worsened the drought in northern China. Recently, a team of researchers from China Agricultural University and Purdue University revealed that while drought may not be the primary cause of the depletion of the country's arable farmlands, it has nonetheless been a key contributing factor.

The National Meteorological Center has announced that the drought would intensify in parts of northern China (including Shaanxi and Hebei Province) during this heat wave.

However, as rains hit southern China on Tuesday, the rest of the country may start to enjoy relief from the heat as a result of increased cloud cover. The heat wave is expected to end in many parts of China on Wednesday.

China Radio International quotes Wang Hua, chief broadcaster at Beijing Meteorological Bureau, explaining that Beijing will experience "multiple thunderstorms" on Wednesday as the temperature drops.

TagsNational Meteorological Center (NMC), China Heat Wave, China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Beijing Meteorological Bureau, China Drought 2015, China Yellow Heat Wave Alert