L.J
Proud Member
Australia counts heatwave deaths
The Australian authorities fear about 20 people have died as a result of one of the worst heatwaves in 100 years to hit the south-east of the country.
Most of them were elderly people who had been struggling in the heat.
The heatwave has also caused power outages in Melbourne, Australia's second biggest city.
Extreme temperatures of more than 40C (104F) have hit the south-eastern states of Victoria and South Australia in the past three days.
If the high temperatures continue into Sunday, it will equal the worst heatwave that south-eastern Australia has witnessed in 100 years.
Already, it has caused disruption, destruction and death.
In Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, health officials reported more than 20 sudden deaths, most of them elderly people overcome by the baking temperatures of over 40C who had suffered strokes and heart attacks.
Raging wildfires have ripped through the Gippsland region of neighbouring Victoria, and at least 10 homes have been destroyed near the rural town of Boolarra.
In Melbourne, the state capital, the heatwave has meant disruption to transportation services and power outages.
Trains have been cancelled because the rail lines have buckled in the heat.
An explosion at an electrical substation left over 300,000 homes without power.
Some traffic lights in the city have stopped working, so too the signals in parts of the rail network.
Link... Includes Video
This week, many parts of southern Australia have been experiencing an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 46C.
The baking heat has encouraged many to take to the beach and soak up the rays.
While others have been ensuring Australia's flora and fauna survive the weather.
Players and fans at the Australian Open tennis tournament did their best to keep cool.
But the heat has brought with it raging bush fires, which have already destroyed homes and buildings in the region.
The Australian authorities fear about 20 people have died as a result of one of the worst heatwaves in 100 years to hit the south-east of the country.
Most of them were elderly people who had been struggling in the heat.
The heatwave has also caused power outages in Melbourne, Australia's second biggest city.
Extreme temperatures of more than 40C (104F) have hit the south-eastern states of Victoria and South Australia in the past three days.
If the high temperatures continue into Sunday, it will equal the worst heatwave that south-eastern Australia has witnessed in 100 years.
Already, it has caused disruption, destruction and death.
In Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, health officials reported more than 20 sudden deaths, most of them elderly people overcome by the baking temperatures of over 40C who had suffered strokes and heart attacks.
Raging wildfires have ripped through the Gippsland region of neighbouring Victoria, and at least 10 homes have been destroyed near the rural town of Boolarra.
In Melbourne, the state capital, the heatwave has meant disruption to transportation services and power outages.
Trains have been cancelled because the rail lines have buckled in the heat.
An explosion at an electrical substation left over 300,000 homes without power.
Some traffic lights in the city have stopped working, so too the signals in parts of the rail network.
Link... Includes Video
This week, many parts of southern Australia have been experiencing an intense heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 46C.
The baking heat has encouraged many to take to the beach and soak up the rays.
While others have been ensuring Australia's flora and fauna survive the weather.
Players and fans at the Australian Open tennis tournament did their best to keep cool.
But the heat has brought with it raging bush fires, which have already destroyed homes and buildings in the region.
