Surface temperature hits 84°C in Xinjiang as snowmelt triggers floods.
Nature rarely favours constancy, especially in lands where scorching deserts and snow‑capped peaks exist side by side. When the sun turns rocks to ashes, and mountain ice, unable to withstand the heat, unleashes torrents upon the valleys, humanity finds itself caught between two forces. It is a time when survival demands adaptation to conditions where nature's bounty and severity walk hand in hand, reminding us of the fragility of any balance.
Several regions of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China are experiencing extreme weather. In Turpan, the famous Flaming Mountains have been hit by a severe heatwave for days, with surface temperatures reaching 84 degrees Celsius. "The 84‑degree temperature we recently measured is the highest surface temperature recorded since the start of summer this year. The highest surface temperature ever recorded in this scenic area is 89 degrees," said Lan Yunxia, marketing manager of the Flaming Mountains scenic area. Meteorologists attribute the extreme heat to Turpan's enclosed topography, exposed rock surfaces and prolonged sunlight, which together trap heat like a closed pot.
Meanwhile, prolonged high temperatures have caused snowmelt in the Kunlun Mountains, triggering localised floods in Qiemo County of the Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture. In the town of Aoyailake, floodwaters washed away or damaged sections of roads in the Gobi Desert, disrupting traffic. Local authorities deployed heavy machinery to clear mud and standing water, repair and reinforce roadbeds, and dredge clogged drainage channels to ensure safety. Ahead of the annual flood season, officials are conducting door‑to‑door visits to teach farmers and herders safety rules and how to prevent sudden mountain floods. "They taught us a lot about safety, for example, to carry ropes and food in the car so as not to get trapped in the wild. They also told us to immediately help anyone we come across in trouble," said a local herder from the town.
The Turpan Depression is one of the hottest places in China and the world, with record surface temperatures regularly recorded there. The Kunlun Mountains, stretching across southern Xinjiang, have extensive glaciers, and their summer melting is a natural process, but this year's abnormal heat has intensified it, posing a threat to infrastructure and agriculture. As CCTV+ reports. Rescue services continue to monitor the situation, and road repairs are underway around the clock to restore transport links in the affected areas.
