January 12, 2010
SYDNEY (AFP) - The Australian city of Melbourne has sweltered through its hottest night since 1902, with temperatures topping 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit), meteorologists said Tuesday.
Millions tossed and turned in the overnight heat in Australia's second city, with power cuts exacerbating the problem in some areas and some people even resorted to nocturnal trips to the beach to cool off.
"It's probably the most uncomfortable night I've ever had Down Under," said Andrew Jefferson of Ballarat, west of Melbourne, who emigrated from Britain in 2001.
Thousands of homes were without power as electricity companies' equipment failed in the heat. The city was also hit by hundreds of train cancellations on Monday, enraging commuters.
Meteorologists said earlier this month that the last decade was the hottest on record in Australia.
