The China Meteorological Administration issued the first-ever nationwide second-level heat alert on Tuesday, saying the unusually high temperatures may continue until Aug 8 in most of southern China.

A second-level alert is the second-highest out of four levels.

The administration said that temperatures in southern China from July 30 to Aug 8 will top 35 C. Some areas may see record high temperatures, the administration said.

The intense heat may affect the provinces of Anhui, Jiangsu, Hunan, Hubei, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Fujian, plus Chongqing and Shanghai, threatening power supplies and crops.

Some parts of southern China may have up to eight straight days of temperatures over 35 C, the administration said.

Since the end of June, scorching heat has lingered in most of the country, claiming dozens of lives and causing severe drought.