China heatwave: Sichuan warns of ‘particularly severe’ power shortages as heatwave and drought continue

Authorities in the province, a major hydro power producer, warn it is facing a ‘grave situation’ as a result of scorching heat and a prolonged drought

Power supplies to factories have been stopped to protect domestic users and sources say a planned resumption appears to have postponed in some areas

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Parts of China are facing the worst drought in 60 years. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:35pm, 21 Aug 2022Updated: 2:23pm, 23 Aug 2022

The Chinese province of Sichuan warned of “particularly severe” power shortages on Sunday as it continued to suffer the effects of the worst heatwave and drought in six decades.

Meanwhile, a document seen by the Post suggested that plans to resume power supplies to industry at midnight on Sunday would be postponed until Thursday, when rain is forecast.

The southwestern province is one of China’s biggest hydropower producers, but the provincial government warned on Sunday that it was facing a “grave situation” of record temperatures, low rainfall and unprecedented demand for electricity.

“There are severe power shortages because of the extreme high temperature disaster and the drought,” a statement from the authorities said.

The warning of “particularly severe” shortages issued on Sunday is the highest under a four-tier warning system introduced earlier this year.

It means that, if necessary, the province can ask central government for emergency power supplies.

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