Beating the heat on a tight budget in Chongqing

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Beating the heat on a tight budget in Chongqing

(Xinhua) 08:09, August 13, 2013

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For Wang Jing, a computer saleswoman in Chongqing, the latest level two national heat alert issued on Monday told her something she already knew: it is really hot.

According to the forecast from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), temperatures will climb as high as 42 degrees Celsius in several provinces in east and central China and up to 39 degrees Celsius in southwest Chongqing Municipality.

With a severe heat wave lingering across China, low-income earners like Wang who can not afford air conditioning are finding it a luxury to beat the heat, no matter how briefly.

HOT, RESTLESS NIGHTS

Wang spends one-third of her monthly salary of 1,000 yuan (about 158 U.S. dollars) on a room in a rented apartment in downtown Chongqing.

Early this summer, Chongqing's hottest in 61 years, Wang started throwing water onto the floor in an attempt to cool her place down. Her trick worked until the downstairs neighbors complained that water was leaking through their ceiling, threatening to force her to pay for any damages if it didn't stop.

After the neighbors complained, Wang started spritzing her summer bed mat with cool water.

"It's too hot to endure. I have to constantly sprinkle water onto the floor. I am having a water sprinkling festival at home every day," she said.

Though the high temperatures are at the root of Wang's troubles, drywall room dividers, a lack of ventilation and the absence of a night breeze in her apartment are not helping matters.

Her neighbor has made it a habit to sleep on the balcony, which offers a bit of coolness at no cost.

"It's noisy on the balcony, but it's definitely better than being baked inside," said the neighbor, who works at a supermarket and decided that it would not be worth it to buy an air conditioning unit for a rented space.