China renews heat alert as parts of country expect temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius

China's National Meteorological Center on Thursday renewed a yellow alert for high temperatures as parts of the country are set to embrace temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius.

Temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius are forecast across large parts of central and eastern China, including Henan, Anhui, Shanghai and parts of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. The heat is also expected to affect the Sichuan Basin in southwest China, parts of Jiangxi in east China, Hubei and Hunan in central China, and Xinjiang in the northwest.

Some areas could record temperatures as high as 37 to 39 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in parts of eastern Sichuan, western Chongqing in southwest China, northern Xinjiang and the Turpan Basin may exceed 40 degrees Celsius, the meteorological center said.

The yellow alert is the middle level in the National Meteorological Center's three-tier heat warning system with red being the highest.

The forecaster advised the public to take precautions against heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses. The areas affected by high temperatures in southern China are expected to shrink from Friday.

China renews heat alert as parts of country expect temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius

U.S. forces carried out two waves of strikes on Iran on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Central Command, as Iranian media reported explosions in several parts of the country.

The U.S. military concluded a round of nighttime strikes against Iran at 02:00 GMT on Thursday, said a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

According to the statement, U.S. forces hit Iranian command centers, air defense systems, missile and drone installations, and coastal surveillance facilities. The strikes, carried out with precision-guided weapons, targeted locations across several sites, including Bandar Abbas.

The statement further noted that earlier on Wednesday, the U.S. military launched a 90-minute strike on Greater Tunb Island, targeting coastal defense facilities and cruise missile positions.

Multiple explosions were heard in Iran's Bandar Abbas, Sistan and Baluchestan, and parts of Ahvaz in southwestern Khuzestan province on Wednesday, Iranian media reported.

The reports said U.S. strikes targeted Ahvaz, with multiple shells hitting near a hospital, which has been temporarily evacuated.

Explosions reported across Iran as US military continues to launch strikes