China deploys cloud-seeding planes and cuts electricity use as record heatwave takes toll

China deploys cloud-seeding planes and cuts electricity use as record heatwave takes toll.

China, cloud-seeding planes, record heatwave

China is scrambling to alleviate power shortages and bring more water to the drought-hit basin of the Yangtze river as it battles a record-breaking heatwave by seeding clouds, deploying relief funds and developing new sources of supply.

For more than two months, baking temperatures have disrupted crop growth, threatened livestock and forced industries in the hydropower-dependent regions of the south-west to shut down to ensure electricity supplies for homes.

China has repeatedly warned that it faces a proliferation of extreme weather events in coming years as it tries to adapt to climate change and rising temperatures that are likely to be more severe than elsewhere.

The current extreme heat is likely to stem from a “special case” of high pressure from the western Pacific extending over much of Asia, said Cai Wenju, a researcher with Australia’s national scientific research institute, CSIRO.

China’s heatwave has run for 64 days, making it the longest since full records began in 1961, state media said, citing data from the national climate centre. High temperatures will persist until 26 August in the Sichuan basin and large parts of central China, according to forecasts.

On Wednesday, China’s south-western province of Sichuan said it would ration power supplies to homes, offices and shopping malls, after having already ordered producers of energy-intensive metals and fertiliser to curb operations.

In what appears to be an official call to cut electricity use, government offices were asked to set air conditioners no lower than 26C (79F) and use the stairs instead of lifts, the Sichuan Daily said.

On Wednesday, the central province of Hubei became the latest to unveil an effort to induce rainfall, by sending airplanes to fire the chemical silver iodide into the clouds.

Other regions on the Yangtze have also launched “cloud seeding” programmes, but with cloud cover too thin, operations in some parched areas have stayed on standby.

China’s vice premier, Han Zheng, visited the state grid corporation on Wednesday and said further efforts were needed to ensure power supply for residents and key industries, and to prevent power cuts, according to a state media report.

Hydropower makes up about 80% of Sichuan’s power capacity, but dwindling water flows on the Yangtze and its tributaries led to a struggle to meet mounting demand for air conditioning as temperatures soared to 40C and beyond.

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