中英對照讀新聞》Tokyo June heatwave worst since 1875 as power supply creaks under strain (東京自1875年以來最嚴重6月熱浪 電力供應難以負荷)
東京街頭的路人。(路透檔案照)
◎管淑平
Japan baked under scorching temperatures for a fourth successive day on Tuesday, as the capital’s heat broke nearly 150-year-old records for June and authorities warned power supply remained tight enough to raise the spectre of cuts.
日本週二連續第4天受炙熱高溫所苦,首善之地打破將近150年來的6月高溫紀錄,政府警告電力供應依然吃緊,增加斷電之虞。
Temperatures in Tokyo hit 35.1 C by 1 p.m local time on Tuesday. For a second day, authorities asked consumers in the Tokyo area to conserve electricity to avoid a looming power cut - but in moderation.
東京氣溫在週二下午1點達到攝氏35.1度。政府連續第二天要求東京地區用戶節約用電—但是適度地—以避免可能的斷電。
"Apparently there are some elderly people who have turned off their air conditioners because we are asking people to save energy, but please - it’s this hot - don’t hesitate about cooling off," trade and industry minister Koichi Hagiuda told a news conference. (Reuters)
經濟產業大臣萩生田光一在記者會上說,「顯然有一些老人因為我們要求民眾節約能源而關掉空調,但是,拜託,天氣這麼熱,請不要猶豫涼快一下」。(路透)
新聞辭典
creak under the strain:片語,因負擔過重難以維持應有效率。例句:The antiquated system is creaking under the strain.(這套老舊的系統不堪負荷。)
bake:動詞,感到很熱。例句:American’s west coast is baking in a heatwave.(美國西岸正受熱浪所苦。)
raise the spectre of something:片語,使人們意識到或擔心不愉快、負面之事可能即將發生。例句:Increased drought has raised the spectre of food shortages.(乾旱惡化令人擔心糧食恐有短缺之虞。)