China says it is mobilising resources to combat a rare drought and ensure production and livelihoods as scorching heatwaves sweep through vast parts of the country.

According to an August 24 Reuters report, extreme heat in China played havoc despite lower temperatures in some regions, with authorities across the Yangtze River basin scrambling to limit the damage from climate change on power, crops and livestock.

China’s heatwave, stretching past 70 days, is its longest and most widespread on record, with around 30 per cent of the 600 weather stations along the Yangtze recording their highest temperatures ever by last Friday.

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