<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Parts of China are set to experience searing temperatures over the next ten days as a heatwave takes hold.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>In some provinces, authorities are predicting levels to rise to at least 40C and the national government has warned that forest fires could occur.</div><div><br></div><div>Mercury levels will start spiking on Saturday - "Big Heat" day in the traditional Chinese calendar.</div><div><br></div><div>In Zhejiang, in the south-east, some cities are issuing red alerts, the highest warning.</div><div><br></div><div>The province normally experiences temperatures in the high 20s in July but this year local authorities are warning of 40C in the next 24 hours.</div><div><br></div><div>To deal with the hot spells many in China turn to air conditioning in their homes, offices and factories however it could cause trouble for the national power grid.</div><div><br></div><div>Demand could reach a new high over the summer and the Ministry of Emergency Management has warned that safe operations would face "severe tests".</div><div><br></div><div>In July, Shanghai's temperature hit a sweltering 40.9C, equalling its hottest day since records began in 1873, hitting this mark the first time in 2017, Reuters news agency reports.</div><div><br></div><div>The city had to issue its third extreme heat warning of the summer.</div><div>Heatwaves have become more frequent globally, more intense, and last longer because of human-induced climate change.</div><div><br></div><div>The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to emissions. - BBC</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>