Shanghai has endured its hottest July in 140 years, as a heat wave continues to blanket much of China.
The official weather office has recorded temperatures over 38 degrees for the past seven days, the longest run of high temperatures since 1873.
This month 23 days have reached temperatures of more than 35 degrees.
Local media says two people have died of heat stroke in the city and several others have been hospitalised.
Many locals have been taking refuge in the Shanghai's air-conditioned subway stations, with authorities saying mechanical fans are not good enough to beat the heat.
Around a third of China is enduring the hot weather this summer, with 19 provinces and cities affected by the heat.
Temperatures in Shanghai are expected hit 39 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday and remain in the high 30s and low 40s well into August, according to the city's weather bureau.
After several heat waves over the past few years, there have been calls for legal reform to protect workers forced to endure the boiling temperatures.
Workers in the capital Beijing are entitled to a heat allowance if they work outdoors or in a workplace without air-conditioning.
© ABC 2013
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