What happens to the human body in 49C heat? Australians are finding out

Doctors warn there are biological limits to temperatures we can survive, and exposure to extreme heat can provoke a heart attack

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Australia’s southern states are scorching in extreme heat that could break temperature records in Victoria and South Australia on Tuesday.

January and all-time records were forecast to be set in both states, with temperatures approaching 50C across inland areas, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.