Persistently high temperatures and a severe drought in China are wreaking havoc on business operations and people's daily lives.

The mercury has recently topped 40 degrees Celsius in many regions. Weather officials say it's the most severe heatwave since record keeping began 1961.

Power supply is strained in Sichuan Province and other inland areas that rely heavily on hydroelectric energy. Local authorities have forced some factories to shut since mid-August.

The Japan External Trade Organization says operations resumed on Friday at some plants in the city of Chengdu.

Authorities have extended restrictions in the city of Chongqing, including the use of air conditioners in some apartment complexes.

Chinese media say the farming industries in Hubei and Jiangxi provinces along the Yangtze River are being hit hard by the drought.

The central government is planning a series of measures totaling about 1.5 billion dollars. They include launching rockets to trigger rainfall.