China has issued its first national drought alert of the year, facing temperatures exceeding 40 degrees, dried up rivers and blackouts. In the center of the country, the province of Sichuan had to take drastic measures to save electricity. Factories and companies are the first victims, and the consequences could be felt. The provincial capital, Chengdu had to partially turn off the lights.
In Chengdu, the streets are plunged into darkness, as are the corridors of the metro. Store signs and other billboards remained dark, on the orders of the authorities. Objective: to save energy and avoid power outages which are multiplying in the region, to the chagrin of the population.
” We are in the dark »
” This is the current situation in Sichuanexplains a resident. It’s 40 degrees and we are in the dark. This building has no more electricity, that one either, everyone is outside. »
More than 80% of electricity production in the region depends on hydraulic dams. However, China is hit by a heat wave unprecedented and the rivers are dry like the Yangtze: the level of the largest river in the country has never been so low. On its shores, further north, as in Wuhan, it is amazement.
” It’s unimaginable »
” This year the weather is exceptional. It’s unimaginablesays another resident. At this time we are accustomed to flooding. Last year, access to the banks of the river was prohibited as the water was high. »
Sichuan rationed electricity for its factories and businesses. And the industrial provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu, powered by electricity from Sichuan, could do the same. A new blow for the Chinese economy, already damaged by the policy of ” zero covid “.
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