A high temperature alert has been issued in Urumqi, the capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Ugyur Autonomous Region.

Meteorological agencies say northern Urumqi is facing a heat wave, with temperatures climbing to 40 degrees Celsius. The high temperature will last for two or three days, with cooler air arriving this weekend. More than eight of the region's prefectures have been scorched by heat waves since the beginning of the month.

Workers have finished digging 26 wells to keep Urumqi supplied with drinking water for more than 20,000 households. Rains are expected from Thursday to Saturday, which will help ease the effects of the heat wave.