Millions under threat from heatwaves
Written by admin on November 7, 2024
A heatwave warning is in place for large swathes of Queensland with temperatures topping 40C and bushfires forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued the warning on Wednesday for much of the state’s northwestern and central regions and as far south as Brisbane.
The worst-affected areas were forecast to potentially receive extreme heatwave conditions and included territory around Mount Isa and Richmond.
Severe heatwaves were also forecast from Goondiwindi to Toowoomba and Gympie in the south and from Longreach to the Gulf in the centre.
Mount Isa in the state’s Gulf Country recorded four consecutive days above 40C this week, including 41.5C on Tuesday.
Longreach in the state’s centre also reached 41.6C on Tuesday, while Richmond airport reached a whopping 42.8C the same day.
Further south, residents of the border town of Dirranbandi were forced to flee as two fast-moving grassfires closed in on Tuesday.
Emergency services were called to reports of a grass fire about 4km outside of Dirranbandi shortly after 2pm.
Some 500 residents were reportedly forced to flee the area as the Queensland Fire Department battled the blazes overnight.
By Thursday, the blaze was at an advice level and was burning within containment lines, with residents advised they could return.
A Public Safety Preservation Act emergency declaration was also revoked after power and mobile communications were restored to Hebel and Dirranbandi.
Brisbane was tipped to reach a maximum of 33C on Thursday and 34C on Friday amid possible thunderstorms before temperatures dip over the weekend.
Sydney was also forecast to top 30C on Friday before showers bring maximum temperatures down to the mid to low-20C over the weekend.
Melbourne was forecast to be cloudy and hovering around a maximum of 20C, with Canberra hitting 26C on Sunday and Adelaide 27C.
Perth is forecast to reach a high of 27C over the weekend, with Hobart hitting a high of 20C on Thursday and Darwin staying at 35C.
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