Australian emergency services were bracing against "potentially catastrophic" fire conditions on Saturday, as firefighters battled nearly 50 blazes in the state of New South Wales, sweltering in a heat wave sweeping the country's east coast.
Weather officials fear temperatures could hit 48 degrees C (118.4 F) in some areas, setting a record for the state's hottest February day ever. People have been banned from setting fires, and some major sports events have been cancelled.
"It's not just another summer's day. This is as bad as it gets," Shane Fitzimmons, rural fire chief in the state, which was already battling 49 bush or grass fires by midafternoon, told reporters.
"The catastrophic ratings are what we could describe as beyond the conventional scale."
Thousands of people flocked to Sydney’s beaches to cool off, prompting warnings from lifeguards to stay close to shore and take precautions against the sun.
"We want people to be aware of signs of heat stress," a spokesman for the state's lifeguard service told Reuters. "The number one message for people is to stay hydrated, it’s crucial on a day like today."
The extreme heat roiling out of Australia’s desert interior will also push temperatures in the northeastern state of Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), home to the capital, Canberra, to uncomfortable levels on the weekend.
Temperatures hit 47 C (117 F) in parts of New South Wales and ACT on Friday, putting pressure on the electricity grid and prompting plans by authorities to suspend supply in some areas.
Late on Friday, the Australian Energy Market Operator said the prospect of blackouts had been averted as the state cut back consumption.
But with similar gruelling weather expected over the weekend, residents cannot relax vigilance on power use, a spokeswoman for the body said on Saturday.
Businesses that halted operations to conserve energy included a paper mill, water treatment operations and Australia's largest aluminum smelter, Tomago. Many industrial users have contracts requiring them to take such action.
Racing officials in Sydney, Australia's largest city, postponed the Royal Randwick Race Meeting over fears for the animals' wellbeing in the heat.
New South Wales sports officials cancelled some Rugby League junior representative matches and all grades of cricket matches.
A weather change on Sunday may offer a breather, said Peter Zmijewski, a senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology.
"For quite a few weeks, nights have been coming warmer and we haven’t had any changes to blow the heat away," Zmijewski told Reuters. "We may break this pattern tomorrow and Monday.”
Reuters
Sat Feb 11 2017
A surf lifesaver uses binoculars to scan the waters off Sydney's Elouera Beach during a heatwave along Australia's east coast, February 11, 2017. REUTERS
KL20: MYStartup platform boosts Malaysia’s startup ecosystem
KL20: Shariah-compliant startup revolution
Ringgit dibuka rendah berikutan dolar kekal tinggi menjelang data KDNK AS
Pada 9 pagi, ringgit susut kepada 4.7825/7870 berbanding dolar AS daripada 4.7765/7780 ketika ditutup pada Rabu.
AWANI Ringkas: Mangsa nahas helikopter dikebumi hari ini
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Terengganu mampu tanggung 50 peratus hutang PTPTN rakyat
Perkara itu boleh dilaksanakan sebagaimana dilakukan kerajaan Sarawak bagi memberi suntikan dan galakan kepada golongan pelajar.
Buruh ladang warga Indonesia maut dipanah petir
Mangsa dikenali sebagai Kamarudin,40, berasal dari Montong Berore, Mataram, Lombok disahkan meninggal dunia di tempat kejadian.
OpenAcademy: How microlearning transforms Malaysia's work landscape?
OpenAcademy, a Malaysian ed-tech startup, directly addresses the critical need for workforce upskilling in Malaysia. Their user-friendly mobile platform delivers microlearning modules focused on practical, industry-relevant digital skills. This empowers Malaysians at all career stages to enhance their skill sets and remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
The future of Malaysia's semiconductor industry
The Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) will draw up a comprehensive strategic semiconductor plan to ensure that malaysia remains the chosen investment destination for this strategic industry. What role does Malaysia currently play in the global semiconductor supply chain, and how do you see this evolving in the coming years?
Mesyuarat PAC: Teliti projek penyelidikan, isu industri sawit negara
MPOB komited untuk menangani isu-isu industri dengan berkesan di samping memperhebat usaha penyelidikan dan pembangunan.
Bantahan perang di Gaza meningkat di universiti, kolej AS
Penunjuk perasaan mendesak agar dihentikan korban awam di Gaza yang kini mencecah lebih 34,000.
Piala Asia B-23: Indonesia ajar Australia cara main bola
Walaupun Australia mendominasi perlawanan pada separuh masa kedua, kehandalan benteng pertahanan Indonesia mudah mematahkan serangan demi serangan.
Paderi terkemuka Australia ditikam ketika 'live streaming'
Pemimpin gereja itu dilihat rebah ke lantai dan kedengaran suara jeritan para pengikutnya yang kemudiannya menerpa ke arahnya untuk membantunya.
Beratus dipindahkan susulan banjir di Australia
Perintah supaya berpindah dikekalkan di beberapa pekan selepas hujan lebat dan angin kencang yang menggemparkan komuniti di barat Sydney.
Lawatan rasmi ke Australia dan Jerman turut jana potensi jualan eksport produk Malaysia - PM Anwar
Lawatan rasmi ke Australia dan Jerman baru-baru ini, selain mendatangkan keberhasilan yang positif dengan potensi pelaburan, ia juga telah menjana potensi jualan eksport produk Malaysia.
KESUMA anjur forum, pameran kerjaya berasaskan pekerjaan hijau
Forum bertujuan menggalakkan perkembangan pekerjaan hijau selari dengan keperluan pembangunan ekonomi yang terangkum dan persekitaran mapan.
Kabinet bincang tawaran anjur Sukan Komanwel esok
Kerajaan akan memperincikan mengenai cadangan penganjuran sukan Komanwel 2026 dalam mesyuarat Jemaah Menteri, esok.
'Dua tahun tak cukup buat persiapan Sukan Komanwel'
Katanya, tempoh dua tahun merupakan satu masa yang singkat buat negara untuk membuat persiapan menganjurkan temasya besar tersebut.
Majoriti pelaburan diluluskan dalam sektor pembuatan disumbang pengembangan operasi sedia ada - Tengku Zafrul
Majoriti pelaburan diluluskan dalam sektor pembuatan tahun lepas disumbang daripada pengembangan operasi perniagaan sedia ada.
Lihat Malaysia sebagai pelaburan paling utama, destinasi modal - Anwar
Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menyeru komuniti pelaburan antarabangsa supaya melihat Malaysia sebagai pelaburan paling utama dan sebuah destinasi modal.
Malaysia, Australia jalin hubungan ekonomi lebih kukuh menerusi empat kerangka utama - Anwar
Anwar berkata hubungan ekonomi antara Australia dan Malaysia berkembang kukuh sejak beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini berdasarkan kepentingan geoekonomi bersama dan usaha memakmurkan serantau.