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| According to the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, a year consists of 24 solar terms. Dashu is the 12th and also the last solar term of summer, which falls on July 23 this year. Its arrival symbolizes that most parts of China enter the hottest season of the year. In classical Chinese, the word "Shu" is compared to "boiling", expressing the image of the earth being like a pot of boiling water during this period. The temperature during Dashu is often scorching hot because the heat absorbed by the earth during the day is higher than the heat radiated at night, and the heat accumulated over the days and months reaches its peak during this season, hence the ancient Chinese named it Dashu (Big boiling) in comparison to Xiaoshu (Small boiling). Besides heat, another key word used to define Dashu is humidity, which is mainly controlled by monsoons. During Dashu, most parts of China may face frequent thunderstorms and showers. The accumulation of rain can lead to severe flooding and landslides, so great care is taken to monitor and prepare for these natural disasters during this season. |