China has issued their highest possible heat alert across nearly 70 cities amidst second heatwave of the month so far.

Temperatures have risen above 40C this week across several cities in China, where temperatures are soaring faster than the global average.

This second bout of relentless heat is expected to persist longer than the first, which lasted around two weeks. Many areas are seeing their longest-lasting heatwave and highest temperatures in 70 years.

Whilst some parts of China, such as the vast desert region of Xinjiang, are familiar with hot weather, the widespread and persistent nature of this heatwave is unusual. Other regions are seeing temperatures 20C above their average for this time of year.

As consequence, glacial melting has been accelerated in mountainous regions, causing flash floods, mudslides and landslides.

Additionally, a bridge in Quanzhou, in southern China's Fujian province buckled and broke in half after being exposed to 40C heat.