Heatwave grips eastern Australia
New South Wales residents are enduring a scorcher of a weekend, with warnings to drink plenty of water, take care in the surf, and prepare properties for increased bushfire danger.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of severe heatwave conditions for much of the state, with the mercury expected to peak today.
NSW Police deputy commissioner Catherine Burn said the state’s heatwave plan had been activated to ensure a coordinated response from all emergency services. ‘‘We’re going to experience severe to extreme heat conditions throughout NSW, particularly in western Sydney, western NSW and the mid-north coast,’’ she said.
Most of the state will swelter through temperatures above 40C today, with Bulahdelah on the mid-north coast expected to reach 45C.
In Sydney, temperatures are forecast to peak at 38C in the city today, while the mercury could hit 45C in Penrith.
‘‘A NSW Health study published just last month found extreme heatwaves lead to a more than 10 per cent increase in both deaths and ambulance callouts,’’ said Dr Ben Scalley, Director of Environmental Health.
Surf Life Saving NSW has implored people heading to the beach to take care, given there have been 10 drownings since the beginning of December.
The Rural Fire Service is warning residents of an elevated fire danger and wants them to prepare properties now.
NSW Health is prepared for a rise in deaths and emergencies during the heatwave.
Meanwhile, Victorians have been urged to stay indoors and avoid the heat. A total fire ban is in place across the state, with Melbourne expected to reach 42C Bendigo 43C, and Geelong 42C.
Extreme fire warnings are in place in the Mallee and Wimmera, with severe warnings in the southwest and centre of the state.
Victoria Ambulance said the ‘‘killer’’ heat would be ‘‘like a blast furnace’’.
‘‘You need to take this seriously. You need to take care. So put off the sporting events, put off the outside events, stay inside,’’ Ambulance Victoria’s state health commander Paul Holman said.
Authorities have also warned people not to leave children or pets in cars, because they could die within minutes.
On Friday afternoon, a 10-kilometre stretch of the Hume Highway near Broadford began melting, while a scheduled Saturday horse racing meeting was called off at Mornington.
Catastrophic fire conditions have been declared for South Australia’s Mt Lofty Ranges, and the upper and lower southeast. Tasmania is also bracing for severe bushfire conditions.