AMN/ WEB DESk
Three people were killed by falling trees after a storm lashed the state of Victoria in Australia. Gusts of up to 158 km/h were recorded, causing widespread damage and knocking out power of 95,000 homes. The deaths took place in suburbs across the state capital, Melbourne – a city already reeling from a Covid outbreak.
Locals made over 2,100 calls for emergency assistance after the storm crossed the state last night, bringing down power lines and damaging buildings. Residents in 88 suburbs were also warned that the storm had contaminated drinking water. The storm caused untreated water from a dam to enter the city’s drinking water system, affecting up to 250,000 houses.
Melbourne has been in a strict lockdown for almost two months after seeing Australia’s worst coronavirus outbreak. Currently, residents are allowed to leave home only for essential reasons and for one hour of exercise per day.