TAIYUAN, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A heatwave is sweeping multiple regions in China, prompting authorities to issue high-temperature alerts and roll out measures to ensure water supply, protect food production, and ensure stable production.

The National Meteorological Center (NMC) issued a yellow alert for high temperatures on Wednesday, warning that temperatures could exceed 40 degrees Celsius in parts of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Henan and Hubei provinces. China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

At present, most of the winter wheat in Shanxi Province is in its peak grain-filling stage, a critical period during which hot, dry winds can disrupt the process and affect crop yields.

Yuncheng City, a major winter wheat production area in the province, has implemented a range of measures to combat drought and secure a stable summer grain harvest. Technicians are deploying drones with sensors to monitor fields, assessing leaf water content and soil moisture to guide efficient irrigation.

Efforts have also been intensified in Hebei Province to protect the wheat harvest. Emergency teams comprising students and teachers from China Agricultural University and local agricultural officials are guiding farmers in using light, targeted irrigation techniques to water their crops effectively.

Shaanxi Province has prepared emergency water supply plans tailored to the current drought and water conditions to ensure safe drinking water for residents. The province is also closely monitoring reservoir storage levels and optimizing water allocation plans.

In east China's Shandong Province, the provincial observatory renewed an orange alert for high temperatures on Wednesday morning. Local authorities have implemented heat mitigation measures to maintain daily operations.

At construction sites, sunshade nets have been installed, water misters have begun to spray with greater frequency, and work schedules have been adjusted to avoid peak temperatures.

In Jinan, the provincial capital, scenic areas have adopted staggered shifts for sanitation workers while offering cooling stations with drinking water and supplies for treating heatstroke. Cities including Dezhou and Linyi extended operating hours at urban service stations to support delivery riders and outdoor laborers.

On May 15, Jinan Energy Group began providing centralized summer cooling, covering an area of 230,000 square meters. "The centralized system uses cooling stations to dissipate indoor heat through chilled water or air, achieving efficient temperature control," said Gong Hanwei, head of an energy station of the group.

The energy-efficient system enables smart management, makes efficient use of limited land resources, and helps cut carbon emissions, according to Gong.

This round of high temperatures is expected to be prolonged, intense and widespread, with the current heatwave persisting through Thursday, according to Chen Tao, chief forecaster of the NMC. ■