Barwon Water has notified Gellibrand residents that, due to the threat of bushfires, the local water treatment plant is unable to deliver water.

“By the early hours of Wednesday, January 28, tap water in Gellibrand will be unavailable, and the remaining supply is unsafe for consumption,” the agency announced via social media.

“Once conditions allow for safe return, we will establish alternative water sources for Gellibrand residents while repairs are underway,” the statement continued.

This morning, Gellibrand received a “shelter in place” emergency alert, as the advancing bushfire made evacuation perilous.

The alert also covered areas such as Barongarook, Barongarook West, Kawarren, Carlisle River, and Gerangamete, while over 20 nearby communities received “leave immediately” advisories under the watch and act warnings.

In its morning update, VicEmergency said the fire had now burned through 11,000 hectares, but had slowed down after breaking containment overnight.

It remains out of control and is threatening “homes and lives”.

Heatwave temperatures are set to drop in Victoria’s south today, to near or even slightly below the average.

Melbourne’s maximum temperature will experience a 20-degree drop, from about 45 degrees yesterday to 24 degrees today.

But the state’s northern regions will continue to swelter, with temperatures in the high 30s or low 40s through to Saturday, prompting warnings from health officials.

VicEmergency warned record temperatures of up to 45 degrees could be recorded in the north-east.

Fires also burn in the state’s north, including around Walwa, but no evacuation warnings are in place.

Nor are temperatures in the north expected to match the records set yesterday, when Walpepup in the north-west Mallee region hit 48.9 degrees, the hottest day on record in Victoria.

However, even with cooler weather in the south, firefighters continue to face an immense challenge, especially after a wind change overnight sending flames north-east – prompting the “take shelter” warning this morning.

The Otways fire has so far burnt through more than 10,000 hectares and at least three homes are believed to have been lost.

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