January 5th 2025.
The past few days in Victoria have been unbearably hot, with the state experiencing its third consecutive day of intense heatwave conditions. People have been struggling to cope with the extreme temperatures, and the situation has been made worse by the dangers of social media.
Surf Life Saving Victoria has reported that there were a staggering 145 water rescues on Saturday alone, which is equivalent to 17% of the total number of rescues for the entire summer back in 2024. This is a concerning trend, and it has been attributed to the rising influence of social media. People are flocking to beaches and coastal areas in search of hidden gems and secluded spots, lured by the enticing images they see online. However, these areas are often unpatrolled and can be extremely dangerous for inexperienced swimmers.
According to Surf Life Saving Victoria CEO, Trent Treloar, Saturday was one of the most challenging days he has ever seen in his 20 years with the organization. He stated that he had never witnessed so many rescues in a single day, and it was a worrying situation. Unfortunately, one man lost his life after being pulled from the water at Gunnamatta Beach on the Mornington Peninsula, which is known to be one of the most perilous stretches of coastline in Victoria.
Despite the dangers, people continue to flock to the beaches in droves, seeking respite from the scorching heat. A teenage girl and her friend were caught in a dangerous rip at Venus Bay, but were luckily rescued by a 13-year-old boy. As conditions calmed down today, Surf Life Saving Victoria emphasized the importance of swimming between the red and yellow flags, which are manned by lifeguards and provide the safest swimming areas.
However, it's not just the beaches that have been affected by the extreme heat. Inland areas have also been facing their own set of challenges, with firefighters battling a grassfire in Port Melbourne on Saturday night. The fire caused panic near the West Gate and took about 50 firefighters to bring under control. It is now being treated as suspicious.
This summer has been particularly dangerous for water-related activities, with 33 drowning deaths recorded in December alone. Lifesavers are warning people to be extra cautious and to only swim in designated areas. With more than 60 beaches and pools across the state being staffed by surf rescue teams, there is no shortage of safe places to enjoy the water.
As the heatwave continues, it's important to stay informed and take necessary precautions. The 9News app is a great resource to stay updated on the latest news, sports, politics, and weather. Available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play, it provides real-time notifications and can help keep you safe during this extreme weather.
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