Authorities in Sudan are scrambling to combat a deadly heatwave sweeping across its Red Sea State, where temperatures have soared to 47 degrees Celsius amid repeated power outages.
Emergency cooling centers were opened as heatstroke cases surged to 155 in total, with 24 fatalities reported as of Aug 2.
Residents across the coastal region have been struggling to cope physically with the intense heat, while power outages and water shortages exacerbate challenges.
"We are extremely exhausted. The high temperatures affect our performance in the market and our movements, and we feel exhausted. Sometimes, with the frequent power outages, the unstable electricity supply, and the power outages that last for 10 or 14 hours, we are forced to sit under trees in the streets or go to the beach," said Mohammed Al-Yazin, a resident of Port Sudan, the state capital.
Local authorities have taken measures to protect the population, such as spraying the streets with water.
"Higher numbers of cases are expected, but we are constantly coordinating with our partners and the health sector in Red Sea State. We have implemented an early preparedness and response plan, and we are currently working to implement this plan. We have already opened several centers to treat heatstroke as required," said Mustafa Musa, a government official with the Red Sea State.
"During this period, temperatures and humidity rise. Both of which can lead to heat-related illnesses, also known as 'summer illnesses', including heat exhaustion and sunstroke, the most common and dangerous," said physician Ruqaya Al-Zain.
Sudan always experiences intense summer heat in the months of July and August, and this year, its capital Khartoum has not been spared from the heatwave.
"These are extremely high numbers of temperatures recorded here. These are truly terrifying numbers for us. I never expected anything like this. I believe people should be educated because most people lack adequate awareness. Even I, the one speaking before you, don't have adequate awareness. And I could get a heatstroke anywhere and fall to the ground," said local resident Osman Al-Awad.
Sudan takes measures to cope with extreme summer heat
Sudan takes measures to cope with extreme summer heat
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
