A boy plays near a pool in west China's Chongqing municipality August 10, 2006. The municipality sees a record high temperature of 40.1 c, which will last for several days, according to local observatory.

Residents walk amid a searing heat on a street in west China's Chongqing municipality August 10, 2006. The municipality sees a record high temperature of 40.1 c, which will last for several days, according to local observatory.

(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2006)