Severe drought, heat wave grip agricultural heartland(5)

Zebras are provided shelters to keep cool at Zhengzhou Zoo in the capital of Henan, on June 12. (Photo provided to CHINA DAILY)

Occupational hazards

The scorching conditions have also affected workers in other industries and businesses' operations.

The Beijing Municipal Emergency Management Bureau issued a high-temperature orange alert on Sunday. Employers in Beijing were ordered by the government to stop outdoor work, and measures to prevent heatstroke were recommended.

The Shaanxi and Henan governments have also urged employers to stop outdoor work to protect workers from hazardous heat. People were also reminded about fire prevention.

In Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei, authorities have increased the frequency of spraying water on city roads and used more vehicles to replace sanitation workers.

From Saturday, Universal Beijing Resort extended its nighttime opening hours so visitors can attend when the temperature is cooler. The extended hours will continue until Aug 18.

Zhengzhou Zoo in Henan has taken proactive measures to help the animals adapt to the hot weather in the province's capital. Adequate water and hydrating fruits and vegetables to ensure the well-being and comfort of the animals during the heat wave are being provided by zoo staff.

Gorillas, for instance, are being kept in air-conditioned rooms and fed bananas. These efforts help the animals stay cool, hydrated and healthy, and contribute to their overall welfare, zoo officials said.

In Lingshou county, Hebei, the number of bus passengers has decreased significantly as a result of the heat.

"The passenger numbers have dropped by about one-third, and there are barely any during the hot periods," said Hao Liwei, who drives buses running between the county seat and rural areas.

On June 10 in Jizhou, Hebei, a truck driver moved his vehicle off an expressway into an emergency lane when he noticed he had a flat tire. But due to the heat, the tires caught fire and burned some of the cargo before firefighters arrived. The cargo included calcium carbide, which is used as a source for acetylene and other chemicals.

Zheng Jinran, Du Juan, Zou Shuo, Hou Liqiangand Liu Kuncontributed to this story.