China heatwave: Sichuan residents flee heatwaves and power cuts underground
Residents in China's southwestern provinces are taking creative measures to deal with a record heat wave that has seen temperatures exceed 40C(104F), BBC reported.
Those in Chongqing and neighbouring Sichuan are heading into underground bunkers and cave restaurants in an attempt to seek shelter from the heat.
Some experts say the intensity of the heatwave could make it one of the worst recorded in global history.
The prolonged heatwave has exacerbated a severe drought in China.
Some train stations in the provinces dimmed their usually bright lights to save electricity, with photos and videos on social media show eerie scenes of people sitting in darkened train carriages in Chongqing and walking down darkened streets.
To conserve power, government offices in Sichuan were reportedly asked to keep air conditioning levels at no lower than 26C, while Chongqing authorities ordered industrial firms to restrict output until at least Thursday.In lieu of this, some companies reportedly used large ice blocks to help cool their offices down.
Outside the office, diners also went underground in a bid to further escape the heat, according to BBC.
"Cave hotpot" restaurants are often frequented during the summer months, as the temperature is cooler underground - but have now become a mainstay.
The temperature at one cave hotpot restaurant was 16C, compared to a scorching 42C outside, state news outlet China Daily reported on Saturday.
Nepal logs 444 new Covid-19 cases, three deaths on Thursday
Nepal recorded 444 new Covid-19 cases and three deaths on Thursday. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 1, 996 swab samples were tested in the RT-PCR method, of which 211 returned positive. Likewise, 2, 958 people underwent antigen tests, of which 233 tested positive. The Ministry said that 307 infected people recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours. As of today, there are 4, 199 active cases in the country.
KMC demolishes illegal structures built by Alfa Beta in New Baneshwor (In pictures)
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City on Thursday demolished structures constructed illegally by the Alfa Beta in New Baneshwor.
A team led by Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah dismantled the structures built against the map.
Mayor Shah along with his team had reached AlfaBeta this afternoon after the concerned side ignored the 35-day public notice issued earlier by the Metropolitan City.
When Shah reached the site, the operator asked the mayor to show the blueprint of the building.
Furious Shah asked a counter question to the operator, “who should have the blueprint of the building you or me?”
After some time, the team reached the Alfa Beta with the blueprint and a dozer.
The Alfa Beta had been operating a pharmacy in an illegal way.
The underground floor made for the parking will also be vacated at the direction of the KMC.
KMC wants businesses running at underground areas removed
Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah today directed the owners of the Shankhamul Burger House at New Baneshwor and Alfa Beta House to immediately vacate the underground areas of the buildings. After inspecting these areas, Mayor Shah urged the owners to use the underground areas constructed for parking for the same purpose. A medical lab has been operated in the parking area of Alfa House while Burger House of Shankhamul is running at the basement parking. Chief of Kathmandu Municipal Police Raju Pandey said that Mayor Shah asked both of them to remove infrastructures constructed at the parking area immediately. Similarly, the team comprising Mayor Shah and Municipal Police Chief Pandey has now reached Gaushala in order to acquire information about the building where Muktinath Development Bank is located. The KMC had issued a 35-day notice to remove illegally constructed structures. The KMC said it has been compelled to go for action after the notice was ignored.
