It has been reported that about 15,000 kilograms of fish died on July 26 due to the scorching weather in Dazhou, Sichuan province. The financial loss from their death is estimated at over 200,000 yuan ($29,994). An employee at the local fishery office said that besides the heat, the death of the fish must also be attributed to breeding density and water quality.

The temperature in most areas of the city reached 35 degrees Celsius on that day, and even 38 degrees in some places. According to the owner of the pond, surnamed Jiang, there was no way to prepare for the sudden mass death of the fish. The water was scalding, he said, adding that nobody could stand to stay in the water for more than an hour.

Right after most of the fish died, Jiang's fellow villagers tried to help him remove them from the pond, but they gave up after a short time because the temperature was simply too high. Jiang also tried to lower the water temperature by infusing the pond with water from the river, but this attempt met with limited success. In the end, Jiang was forced to confront his 200,000-yuan loss.