Australia's heat wave has arrived in Victoria, as towns recorded soaring temperatures of over 40 °C. Commuters are facing delays due to the heat-related speed restrictions. Metro has advised customers of the delays caused by a track fault. Trains will run at a speed of 70 km/h instead of 80-100km/h because of scorching heat.

Meanwhile, parts of Melbourne were reported to have over 40 °C, while some towns in Victoria were predicted to experience up to 45 °C within the day. According to the Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne is predicted to have a high temperature of 43 °C on Jan 14, 41 °C on Jan 16 and 40 ° C on Jan 17.

Authorities called on volunteers in Victoria to act as lifeguards, as residents flock to beaches every night to beat the heat wave. Volunteer lifesavers are requested to stay in lifeguard locations in Ocean Grove, Lome, Inverloch and Lakes Entrance beyond 6 pm. Weather forecasts said high temperatures will remain even at night time.

Risk of Heatstroke High

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly warned babies, young children, pregnant women, elderly and even the obese are at risk during a heat wave. People at risk may suffer from heat stroke with symptoms like headache, vomiting, dry skin, disorientation and fainting spells. Mr. Kelly urged the people who cannot afford air conditioning in their homes to frequent shopping centres to cool off.

ACT Ambulance Service Chief David Foot warned parents not to leave pets and children inside their vehicles while running errands since temperatures inside the car can quickly increase in less than 5 minutes.

Climate Change Brings More Droughts to Europe

Like Australia, Europe is expected to experience more droughts in the coming years due to climate change. According to a joint study by the European Union's Joint Research Centre and University of Kassel in Germany, river basins in southern Europe will be prone to periods of drought.

The study published in the Hydrology and Earth System Sciences revealed that river flows in Spain, Portugal, Italy and the south of France may decline to 40 per cent as global temperatures continue to rise.

In the past 30 years, it has cost Europe 100 billion euros or $150 billion to recover from drought events. Researchers have said there is a growing concern in the region about the frequency and effects of extreme drought due to climate change.

The study said the average global temperature would increase as much as 3.4 °C by 2100.

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