China Bakes at 143°F: Roads Explode, Cars Ignite, Shrimp in Water Cooked

Added: 2026-06-04

[00:00:07]It's so hot. Oh my god, it's ridiculously hot. Guandong is insanely hot.

[00:00:17]>> Guandong is so hot. Guong is so stuffy.

[00:00:20]It's that explosive, suffocating kind of heat. It's only the end of May. It's already 35° C. Hotter than Africa and the Flaming Mountains. You don't even need to go outside. The moment you open a window, it's like boiling water turns into tens of thousands of needles and it gets shoved into every pore of your body. You could barely breathe. It's so muggy that wearing a t-shirt and shorts doesn't even solve the problem. I'm literally sweating buckets just standing on the street. There's no way you could stay indoors without air conditioning. I hereby declare that Guandong's crulest punishment is making someone stay indoors with no air conditioning for 7 days while sharing the room with 100 flying cockroaches. It's only May and we're already at 35°. Everyone in Guondo needs to immigrate to Mars before July.

[00:01:08]Otherwise, by August, we're all going to get cooked alive.

[00:01:12]Adults are struggling to cope with the heat, and children are finding it even harder. One young child was brought to tears by the extreme temperatures.

[00:01:24]It's so hot. So hot. So hot.

[00:01:29]>> It's 3 p.m. on May 27th. Let's see how hot it is under the sun. The thermometer is literally maxing out from the heat.

[00:01:36]It's over 50° C already. Motorcycles left in the sun have become so hot that riders say the seats are almost unbearable to sit on. Women are facing their own challenge as makeup quickly melts away in the intense heat.

[00:01:54]>> Being a pretty girl in Guangong is seriously hard. I spent all that time doing a full face of makeup. And the moment I went downstairs, I started sweating like crazy. I'm dying from the heat. And with my hair down, too. I just can't take it. Ha, look at my husband.

[00:02:09]The seat of the electric scooter is so hot that he's riding it standing up so he doesn't burn his butt.

[00:02:16]>> Some social media users say that stepping outside in Guandong leaves them drenched in sweat within minutes. Others joke that even standing still is enough to make sweat pour down while everyday tasks such as using the restroom have become uncomfortable.

[00:02:33]You had better not wait until I get rich because once I have money, the first thing I'm doing is installing an air conditioner in my bathroom. I took 10 sheets of toilet paper into the bathroom. Nine were for wiping sweat and only one was for wiping my butt. I'm not even joking. What kind of weather is this? For now, I'll just have to endure it because I'm not rich yet.

[00:02:58]Shenzhen Guangong is so hot. Seriously, it's unbelievably hot. Even going to the bathroom is hot. Who told me to come to Guangong and be a pretty girl? How am I supposed to do that in this weather? I go to the bathroom and my hair ends up soaked. Ever since I came to Shenzhen, I haven't even touched my makeup. I just want to ask all my friends in Shenzhen Guong, "How do you manage to look pretty? What do you even look like when you go outside? It's so hot." By late May, many parts of the northern hemisphere still enjoy the mild weather of early summer. Yaandong province, a major economic center in southern China, has already been hit by an intense heat wave. In recent days, Guangdong faced persistent extreme temperatures. This triggered heat alerts across the province. Temperatures exceeded 38° C or 100° F in some areas. Meanwhile, Yunan County and Yunfu recorded 38.6°C. 6° C or 101.5° F and set a new local record.

[00:04:00]Road surface temperatures climbed as high as 61.8° C or 143.2° F. The severe heat sparked widespread discussions online. Many residents expressed concern about the intensity of the conditions.

[00:04:14]The situation grew worse because of Guandon's high humidity. This created especially oppressive weather in Guanzo.

[00:04:21]Heat and humidity combined to produce particularly harsh conditions.

[00:04:25]Strong sunshine and high moisture levels push the apparent or feels like temperature far above the actual air temperature. Reports show the heat index reached above 47° C in some areas. It exceeded 50° C or 122° F in certain locations.

[00:04:44]Climate specialists note that high humidity reduces a body's ability to cool itself through the evaporation of sweat. As a result, the heat can feel much more severe than the measured air temperature suggests. When apparent temperature is taken into account, parts of Guamong recently experienced conditions as oppressive as or even more uncomfortable than those in regions traditionally known for extreme heat, such as India.

[00:05:12]I'm so hot. I'm about to melt. It's 35° in Guor today. Wa! I'm melting. I'm seriously melting.

[00:05:22]>> Brothers and sisters in Guangong and Guangi, what's the weather like over there right now? How many degrees is it?

[00:05:28]Wo! I feel like I'm about to be roasted alive. I'm turning into barbecue. This weather, if my husband ran away right now, I wouldn't even bother chasing after him. Seriously, I really feel like kicking the sun all the way to Hainan with one good kick. It's so hot.

[00:05:48]>> I swear it feels like it's at least 50some degrees in Guandong today. I'm practically melting from the sun. Don't laugh at how hot India is. We're not doing much better over here.

[00:06:01]>> The weather in Guangong lately has been terrifying. The moment you walk downstairs and leave your house, your whole body is covered in sweat. Don't even talk about taking one shower a day or two or three showers is totally normal. How can 34 to 35° weather feel like 40°? It's way too hot.

[00:06:20]>> For many newcomers who have just arrived in Guandong, the constant heat and humidity can feel overwhelming. The heavy sticky air seems unavoidable, and many say it quickly pushes them to their limits. Some even report that the conditions make it difficult to stay in the province.

[00:06:38]Guong is way too hot. I seriously can't take it anymore. I was just eating a meal and even my waistband got soaked with sweat. I want to go back to Sujo.

[00:06:48]I've had enough.

[00:06:52]>> Honestly, with Guangjouro's weather, you can only survive indoors. The moment you step outside, it feels like your body is about to evaporate. It's so hot. You practically want to stick your tongue out like a dog. Sometimes I think about how nice it will be to go back to the snowy northeast and just dive head first into a snowbank. That sounds absolutely wonderful. Is this why people from the south love snow so much? For outdoor workers, the extreme heat presents a serious physical challenge. At construction sites, the perceived temperature has reportedly risen above 50° C or 122° F. Some workers have suffered heat exhaustion. A few have collapsed or lost consciousness. Despite these conditions, work continues under intense strain. The same conditions are not limited to Guandong. Neighboring Guangshi has also entered what many described as a steam oven state. Even some newcomers from Shing Jang, a region known for extreme weather, have found the heat difficult to endure.

[00:07:54]Guys in the south, are you all hot, too?

[00:07:56]This is real sweat. Okay, I'm from Shing Jang and it's 6:00 p.m. right now. I'm in Guangshi. Wow, it's only May. What's July and August going to be like? That's why I really don't understand why some Southerners go to Shing Jang and say Shing Jang is hot. This place feels warm and humid. I've only been here a few days, but I swear my skin has already gotten better. It actually feels really comfortable. My man, it's hot. I want to go out and have fun, but I don't dare. I went downstairs for 20 minutes. It was literally like taking a shower. Still, since we're here, let's make the best of it. All this sweating must be because I'm not used to it. It can't possibly be the weather's fault here. I'm not kidding. Look, while I'm talking to you right now, do you think I'm faking this?

[00:08:42]Guys, it's seriously hot. For many farmers and livestock producers, the extreme heat has become a serious challenge, causing significant losses and threatening their livelihoods.

[00:08:53]Videos circulating online appear to show poultry struggling to cope with the high temperatures. Some reports claimed that large numbers of birds suffered heat stress and died, leaving breeders with substantial losses. Even when flocks moved into shaded areas or rested near water, some appeared unable to withstand temperatures beyond their physical limits. In one widely shared video, shrimp kept in a home aquarium reportedly died overnight during the heat wave, turning red in the water.

[00:09:21]The soaring temperatures have also created problems for aquaculture operators as water temperatures rose and oxygen levels fell. Video showed large numbers of fish floating at the surface apparently suffering from severe oxygen depletion. For affected families, the damage goes far beyond a brief mention and economic reports. Many depend directly on farming and aquaculture for their income, making extreme weather a serious financial burden.

[00:09:48]Some videos also claim that large numbers of insects died during the heat wave. Even dogs seem eager to hide inside a refrigerator to escape the heat. In one widely shared example, a shop owner actually allowed a dog to cool off inside a refrigerator during the extreme temperatures. Another video showed an owner spraying their dog with water to lower their body temperature.

[00:10:10]Why has Guandone become so extremely hot this year? Experts point to a strong subtropical high-pressure system that has covered the region like a lid. They also highlight the urban heat island effect as a deeper cause.

[00:10:24]Once temperatures pass a critical level, the impact goes beyond discomfort.

[00:10:29]Extreme heat can trigger a chain of dangerous incidents and expose weaknesses in urban systems. In one case, a concrete road reportedly cracked under intense heat, raising concerns online about construction quality.

[00:10:43]In another incident, a transformer reportedly exploded after being overloaded by high electricity demand.

[00:10:50]On May 28th, a power distribution box in Liam New City, Liuong New reportedly exploded, causing a power outage.

[00:10:59]Reports linked the incident to high electricity demand combined with temporary power lines.

[00:11:04]>> The power is out. The power is out. The electrical box exploded. It's overloaded. Under continuous heat, roads have buckled and cracked. In Chayawan district in Shanto, part of the Hoian Bridgeway reportedly warped and broke open. At the same time, power grids have come under increasing pressure as air conditioners run continuously.

[00:11:27]Some transformers have reportedly failed under heavy load. Fire risks have also increased with incidents occurring during the heat wave. In Guanzo, firefighters battled a fire at a commercial property while working in extreme heat. In another incident, a vehicle caught fire in a parking lot.

[00:11:45]Witnesses shouted warnings and urged nearby car owners to move their vehicles to prevent the fire from spreading.

[00:11:53]>> How hot can Gondong get? It's literally a case of sitting at home minding your own business when disaster falls from the sky. I was sleeping peacefully when my neighbor told me my car was on fire.

[00:12:05]Turns out a cardboard box caught fire after baking in the sun and ended up setting my beloved car on fire too.

[00:12:12]Reports describe vehicles spontaneously catching fire with some electric motorcycles exploding and igniting entire parking sheds. In the extreme heat, each fire incident has been linked to heavy property loss and potential safety risks. The most serious case have involved large fires at industrial sites and transport hubs. On the afternoon of May 27th, a major incident occurred on Numping Expressway in Shenzhen, an important east-west traffic route. A collision between a fuel tanker and a bus triggered a large fire. The flames quickly engulfed the tunnel sound barrier structure, sending thick black smoke into the air and reducing visibility in the area.

[00:12:55]This fire in Numping is really serious.

[00:12:58]Everything's burning so badly. The fire has already spread up to the areas above the Chingong parking lot. It's really bad. Really bad. The whole tunnel is on fire. This is serious. Really serious.

[00:13:10]On May 28th, a serious fire broke out at a lubrication oil company in childhood town Jansu Province. Witnesses reported large flames and heavy smoke visible from several kilometers away. The singlestory brick and concrete workshop was fully engulfed.

[00:13:27]Fireballs shot from the blaze along with loud sounds. Local residents said they had never seen a fire of this size. The estimated losses of more than 10 million yen, equivalent to more than 1.48 million US. If road cracking and electrical fire show stress on urban infrastructure, the next case is described as a deeper social breakdown caused by human factors. In a province with a high GDP, reports say thousands of students face extreme heat in classrooms without air conditioning.

[00:14:00]Some nearly suffered heat stroke. This was reported in late May in several schools in Hanzo, Guandong. On May 28th, with temperatures around 34 degrees C, several schools in Huado, including Zondo Middle School, had air conditioning units installed but not running. Students struggled in hot classrooms.

[00:14:21]They later gathered in the teachers office to cool down. Parents said that in previous years, schools charged fees for air conditioning. After complaints were made last year, the fees were stopped, but the systems were then left unused.

[00:14:35]Schools said they were required to install air conditioning as exam centers, but no public funding was provided for electricity costs. The third party company involved shut down the systems after disputes over complaints and payments. Teachers acknowledged the heat. They said students were struggling and were allowed to stay in staff offices for relief. Similar conditions were reported in other schools in Huazo.

[00:15:01]As a result, air conditioning systems became unusable despite being installed.

[00:15:06]In classrooms reaching nearly 40° C, students sweated heavily. In some cases, they had difficulty breathing. They could only get short relief during breaks in air conditioned offices. At the center of the issue is a policy gap.

[00:15:22]Regulations require air conditioning in exam centers, but no funding is provided to support operational costs. Schools rely on third-party companies for installation. These companies tried to recover costs through fees charged to parents.

[00:15:37]After complaints, the fees were banned.

[00:15:40]The companies then cut power to the systems. Schools cannot charge fees.

[00:15:44]Companies cannot absorb losses and regulators enforce rules without funding support.

[00:15:50]As a result, students bear the impact during extreme heat. The situation has triggered widespread discussions online.

[00:15:58]Online commenters have expressed strong anger and criticism over the situation.

[00:16:03]One widely shared post asked, "If the school cannot afford electricity for air conditioning, then how are the office air conditioners running? Do teachers pay the bills themselves? Office air conditioning works, but classroom air conditioning does not. How does that make sense?" Another commented, "I have never seen a public school where students must pay to use air conditioning. Are paying students treated as lower than staff?" Another said, "This is a major GDP leading province, yet my child's school has no air conditioning. Students are not even allowed to bring small fans. Location: Zangjan number 25 Primary School." One user commented, "Landscape lights are on every night, but the school cannot afford electricity for air conditioning." while another said, "This kind of one-sizefits-all approach is bureaucratic laziness. Education has become a business in some cases. If the accounts are checked, problems will likely be found."

[00:17:00]The situation has been described as ironic by some people. Cities continued to expand with tall buildings and busy roads. Bright lights stay on all night and decorative lighting keeps streets illuminated. Yet, in a leading economic province, public schools reportedly lack the funds to pay relatively small electricity costs for air conditioning.

[00:17:21]Some critics say the situation reflects a focus on procedural compliance rather than practical results. In their view, authorities prioritize strict rules against unauthorized fees, even if this leaves classrooms unusable during extreme heat.

[00:17:36]They argue that the issue is not only a lack of funding but also poor allocation of resources and a lack of attention to everyday public needs. When responsibility for basic services is passed between different levels of administration and when education is constrained by rigid rules and financial limits, they question the meaning of rapid GDP growth if it does not improve living conditions. At the same time, for lowincome urban workers, the extreme heat is described as even harder to endure.

[00:18:08]Landlord, can you even sleep at night?

[00:18:11]Every summer, I start trembling with fear. I really don't want to turn on this air conditioner. It uses about 10 kwatt hours overnight. Electricity costs about 1 per kilowatt hour. My rent is only 600 yen a month, but my electricity bill can hit 650. This air conditioner is old, worn out, and a total power hog.

[00:18:32]online. People already complain that a level three energy efficient unit is bad. Mine is actually level five. Life isn't easy for us brothers in Guangong.

[00:18:41]You guys with level three units are already living the dream. Mine's a level five.

[00:18:49]I genuinely couldn't sleep last night.

[00:18:52]It was so hot that I finally got up and turned on this level 3 energy efficient air conditioner. It used around 8 kW hours of electricity. I think that's about 1 kwatt hour per hour and electricity costs 1 per kowatt hour. If this keeps up, my monthly salary won't even cover the air conditioning bill.

[00:19:10]I'm completely out of options. Landlord, how about installing a level one energy efficient air conditioner for me instead. In urban villages, older air conditioning units with low efficiency use large amounts of electricity. This makes cooling a heavy financial burden.

[00:19:26]In some cases, monthly electricity bills reportedly exceed rent. This forces workers to choose between unbearable heat and high living costs. The 2026 heat wave in Guandong is therefore seen by some commenters not only as a weather event. It is also a stress test for urban life. The heat exposes deeper social and structural pressures behind rapid development. Ultimately, critics say that true modernization is not measured by skyscrapers or GDP figures.

[00:19:56]It's measured by whether workers can rest safely in extreme heat, whether rural communities are protected from climate shocks and whether students can learn in safe and comfortable classrooms. If basic living and education conditions cannot be guaranteed, they ask what meaning should be placed on rapid economic growth and trillion level GDP figures.