Sweaty days lie ahead for city residents

By Lu Feiran  |   2008-7-14  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

SHANGHAI is set to sizzle again this week, with forecasters predicting high temperatures and little rainfall.

The maximum temperature is expected to reach 35 to 36 degrees Celsius, the weather bureau said yesterday.

Despite a possible thunderstorm this morning, sunny to cloudy weather will prevail in the city from this afternoon, according to the Shanghai Meteorological Bureau. The bureau said the heat would be caused by the strengthening of a subtropical high. Minimum temperatures will drop to about 28 degrees.

A thunderstorm hit the city on Saturday causing flight delays and minor flooding, the Shanghai Flood Control Headquarters said yesterday.

The meteorological bureau issued a yellow thunderstorm alert at noon, while Pudong New Area and Nanhui District issued a blue rainstorm alert. At 4pm, rainfall downtown reached more than 40 millimeters. In the Longhua area of Xuhui District, levels reached 80 millimeters, the heaviest rainstorm in 10 years.

About 170 flights were delayed or canceled in Shanghai because of thunderstorms, according to local airports.

In Xuhui, trees were dislodged as the wind reached 74 kilometers an hour when the thunderstorm hit, officials said.

Although the bureau issued thunderstorm alerts yesterday afternoon, no flood trouble was caused in the downtown, said the headquarters.

Also yesterday, local water authorities said it would start publishing the day's water quality at more than 70 water service sites in the city.

The bureau said it would recruit 800 volunteer to assist with water supply problems. Anyone interested should call 962288.