31 Jan 2019 | 11:04 AM UTC
Australia: Power outages in Sydney region Jan. 31
Power outages affect thousands in Sydney suburbs January 31 amid severe heatwave
Event
As of Thursday, January 31, power outages reportedly affect ten of thousands households in Sydney's eastern suburbs, amid an ongoing severe heatwave. Power outages are notably reported between the Bondi beachfront to Double Bay and Woollahra. As such, significant disruptions to daily life activties have been reported in affected areas, along with increased concern over road safety as traffic lights have reportedly stopped functionning. Local technical services are curently working to restore power as soon as possible.
On a related note, weather authorities forecasted this extreme weather conditions could persist through the end of April.
Context
A severe heatwave affected the south-eastern part of the country between January 21-25, triggering power outages.
Advice
Individuals in Australia are advised to follow local weather reports, stay well-hydrated (drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day and avoid alcohol), and avoid spending time in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day (generally from noon to 16:00). Be especially on guard against symptoms of dehydration or heat stroke in young children and seniors, as they are particularly vulnerable. Do not hesitate to contact emergency services if necessary. For more detailed information, visit Australia's Bureau of Meteorology's website.
