Entering this year, the temperature has reached the highest level in central eastern areas as of May 24 and it registered as high as 40 degrees centigrade in some areas.

It is foreseen that the heat which started in the southern areas on May 19 will last in the future and the scale of the areas affected by it will expand.

Damage by drought which hit Hubei Province from the end of last year is increasing.

According to information available from the Civil Administration Agency of the province, the area of the drought-stricken cropland increased to 18 million wu as of May 23 and water in reservoirs decreased drastically.

Forest fire continues occurring in Russia, causing damage.

According to the Ministry of Extraordinary Situation, forest fire occurred in 418 places of the country on May 23 alone and its area reached more than 110 500 hectares.

The area damaged by forest fire in Siberia reached 2 240 hectares on May 22.

Torrential rain and storm hit Uttar Pradesh State, India killing 42 people and injuring 50 others as of May 22, leaving houses destroyed and bringing down power cables.