This July, global temperatures were the 6th hottest on record since 1880.

In China, the longest heatwave on record has been accompanied by an extreme drought. The drought has caused major disruptions in the Southwestern regions of the country. Parts of the Yangtze River have dropped so low that supplies can be shipped, power-generating dams are unable to produce enough electricity to run factories and car assembly plants have been rendered non-operational.

China's government has been forced to institute rolling blackouts in some cities. The heat wave and drought are also driving up food prices, in Wuhan. For example, the price of bok choy has doubled in the last month.

We speak with Keith Bradsher, Beijing bureau chief for The New York Times, about the crisis.