BBC News: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brazil has recorded its hottest ever temperature – 44.8C (112.6F) – as parts of the country endure a stifling heatwave.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The record was hit on Sunday in the town of Ara\u00e7ua\u00ed, in Brazil’s south-eastern state of Minas Gerais, officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The unprecedented heat has been attributed to the El Ni\u00f1o phenomenon and climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forecasters have said some of the heat is likely to ease this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Officials from the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet) said only three state capitals would see temperatures approaching 40C, CNN Brasil reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The outlet cited the agency as saying Ara\u00e7ua\u00ed’s high of 44.8C had beaten the country’s previous record of 44.7C, measured in 2005.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The heat has seen red alerts issued across the country, a month before the beginning of summer in the southern hemisphere. Brazil’s energy consumption has soared to record levels as people try to keep themselves cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/emp.bbc.com\/emp\/SMPj\/2.50.8\/iframe.htmlMedia caption,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch: Taylor Swift struggles to breathe at Rio concert<\/p>\n\n\n\n The weather led to Taylor Swift cancelling one of her concerts in Rio de Janeiro after a fan fell ill and died<\/a> before a show on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the organisers, 23-year-old Ana Clara Benevides Machado had sought help at the stadium after feeling unwell. She was transferred to hospital but died one hour later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Official research released two weeks ago<\/a> showed that the average temperature in the country had been above the historical average from July to October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extreme weather is becoming more frequent and more intense in many places around the world because of climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to scientists, heatwaves are becoming longer and more intense<\/a> in many places and this is expected to continue whilst humans keep releasing planet-warming greenhouse gases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n