First Covid, now historic heatwave hits farmers in southwest China hard

China’s southwestern Sichuan province has been sweltering under a record heatwave. The region has seen over 40 degree Celsius (104°F) temperatures since early August 2022, which has lasted for nearly a month. In one of the worst-hit areas in Dazhou, in eastern Sichuan, rivers have dried up as a result of the heatwave, leaving scorched crops and putting the autumn harvest at risk. Strict Covid-19 controls in place for nearly three years have hurt businesses across China, and farmers are among the most affected by the country's declining economy. Now a damaged harvest has put more uncertainty in their lives.