Power shortages have hit China after a week of drought and heatwave conditions.

Chinese state media reported Monday that most shopping centres in the southwest Chinese city of Chongqing only open between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to reduce energy usage through air conditioning.

In recent weeks, the authorities in neighbouring Sichuan province had called for electricity to be rationed.

Much lower levels of water are in many Chinese rivers due to the ongoing drought.

The Yangtse, the world’s third-longest river, which supplied several hydroelectric power plants, was among those affected.

The water level had dropped to historic lows in some of the region’s reservoirs.

Sichuan has been hit particularly hard because it has 80 per cent of its electricity from hydroelectric plants.

Several bushfires raged around Chongqing on Monday, and authorities blamed the heatwave and ongoing drought.

Flights were cancelled, and 1,500 people were evacuated from the area.

Large parts of China are experiencing their hottest and driest summer since records began in 1961.

Temperatures have topped 40 degrees Celsius repeatedly in many places in recent weeks.

State news agency Xinhua reported that 14 regions and provinces were affected by mid-severe to severe drought. Local governments were urged to secure water supplies and bring in artificial rainfall if needed.

This involved shooting chemicals into clouds to generate rain. 

(dpa/NAN)