‘Air conditioners are struggling’: parts of NSW, Queensland and Victoria swelter as heat records tumble

On Wednesday afternoon, Victoria’s emergency management commissioner said 11,000 homes were without power due to heat stress on infrastructure. Photograph: Ellen Smith/The Guardian

People across significant parts of western New South Wales, south-western Queensland, Victoria and the ACT have suffered through another day of sweltering conditions, with more local records tumbling around the country and temperatures in some alpine areas exceeding 30C for the first time.

Temperatures reached the high 40s again in the west of NSW, climbing to 49.2C at Borrona Downs in the far west. All-time heat records were set at Tibooburra (48.7C), Hay Airport in south-western NSW (48.4C) and White Cliffs, which at 48.3C broke the record of 48.2C set the previous day. Yarrawonga in north-east Victoria had its hottest day, reaching 46C.