2015年CRI 热浪席卷华中华北地区（在线收听）

An intense heatwave has baked swathes of central and northern China with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius on Monday.

Chief forecaster of National Meteorological Center Ma Xuekuan says the current heatwave has been the most widespread of the year.

"The heatwave is powerful over north China to the Huai River valley, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in some areas. It covers large areas of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Henan and Shandong. So it has been the most powerful heatwave since this year in terms of its intensity and sheer coverage."

The heatwave has worsened the ongoing drought conditions in northern China.

More than 470,000 square kilometers of land have been affected by hot and dry weather.

The heatwave is expected to come to an end on Wednesday.

CRI