In the south of Australia, new record temperatures are currently being measured during a heat wave. In some regions it was up to 49 degrees Celsius, north of Adelaide even 49.5 degrees. It was expected that during the course of the day even the 50 degree mark will be cracked. In Adelaide itself, temperatures rose to 47.7 degrees - a new record; the old one had been in existence since 1939.

Heat records were broken in more than ten cities in the south of the country. Health officials in South Australia said more than 40 people needed medical treatment within 24 hours because of the heat. The authorities called on the population to take care of the needy and the elderly. At the same time, they warned against touching hundreds of bats fallen for the heat of trees.

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Australia: Up to 50 degrees down under

Thousands of people sought refrigeration in the sea or in air-conditioned shopping malls. In a hotel, the bartenders poured free beer to guests. In the Adelaide Zoo, panda bears wallabies were cooled with ice as well as turtles with cold water.

Bad effects on the wildlife

Partly the public transport had to be restricted, because buses could not drive. The fire department was on standby because of increased forest fire danger in more than 13 districts. The state of Victoria and the center of the country are also affected by extreme heat.

The continuing heat and drought have also devastating effects in the animal world, as several media reported. About 40 dead wild horses were therefore found in dry water holes near the remote settlement of Santa Teresa, about 80 kilometers southwest of Alice Springs in the middle of the country. Rangers had to shoot 55 more wild horses that had suffered from lack of water.

In western Australia, more than 2,500 wild camels have been shot dead last month, having broken through fences into private grasslands to gain access to water, according to media reports.