Persistently high temperatures are more than a weather problem — they also raise living costs and can harm agricultural production. A Beijing News column proposes that the government help those in need in hot weather, as it does in times of natural disasters.

Excerpts:

The high temperatures experienced this summer are finally showing signs of retreating, with the mercury beginning to drop in some cities.

However, residents have already had more than enough of the uncomfortable weather, and their wallets have felt the pinch from rising living costs.

Consumption of water and electricity has risen, while prices of daily necessities have also been pushed higher by rising transport costs and falling production.

Many Internet users jokingly say they will face bankruptcy if the high temperatures continue. But for low-income families, this is no joke and there are already reports of extreme cases where senior citizens died from the heat because their families wanted to save electricity by turning air-conditioners off.

High temperatures also affect agricultural production. Many reports show that grain production could fall in several provinces, while vegetables have withered in the heat. The government made a good move in regulating enterprises so that they have to offer allowances to outdoor workers.

It would be even better if it considered low-income families and farmers who also suffer from rising living costs and falling production.

It would be well advised to consider offering allowances to them as well, to prevent more tragedies before it is too late.