Scorching temperatures have returned to southwest China's Chongqing Municipality prompting education officials to extend the summer vacation by five days.

The delay will affect five million teachers and students in kindergartens, middle schools and primary schools.

While the city got a reprieve from high temperatures last week the heat was cranked up again over the weekend as 15 counties in Chongqing reported reaching highs of 40 degrees Celsius.

"I am very glad the new term is delayed, so we can have five more days to enjoy vacation," said Huang Xuan, a grade-four pupil in Shuren elementary school.

"The weather is too hot. The health of both teachers and students could be affected if they start work and study on September 1," said Zhan Chu, a middle school teacher in the city.

According to the education authority, the start of the new term will be further delayed if the heat wave continues past September 5.

The weather has also triggered the worst drought in 50 years, leaving more than 7.9 million people in Chongqing without adequate drinking water and causing economic losses of 6.1 billion yuan (US$763 million).

The forecasts from the local meteorological department say that the hot and dry conditions will continue and rain is very unlikely during the next three days.

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2006)