Brazil has recorded its hottest temperature on record at 44.8 degrees Celsius, as parts of the country endure a sweltering heat wave. The record was hit on Sunday in the city of Araçuaí, in the southeastern Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.
The unprecedented weather has been attributed to the El Niño phenomenon and climate change. Forecasters say some of the heat is likely to ease this week.
The government agency said Araçuaí's high of 44.8C had beaten the country's previous record of 44.7C, measured in 2005.
The heat has triggered a red alert across the country, a month before the start of summer in the southern hemisphere. High temperatures forced Taylor Swift to cancel one of her concerts in Rio de Janeiro after a fan fell ill and died before a show on Friday.
Two weeks ago, the average temperature in the country had been above the historical average from July to October. Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more intense in many parts of the world due to climate change.
Meanwhile, Earth is currently in an El Niño weather phase, during which global temperatures typically rise. (A2 Televizion)
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