U.S. heatwave turns deadly, causes disruptions

Tourists walk on the National Mall as a heatwave brings temperature to nearly 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34.4 degrees Celsius) in Washington, D.C., the United States, on July 24, 2022. The persistent heatwave from the Southern Plains to the Northeast of the United States has resulted in multiple heat-related deaths as well as disrupted traveling and outdoor events. Over 85 million Americans are under excessive heat warnings or heat advisories, according to a bulletin by the U.S. National Weather Service on Sunday. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

NEW YORK, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The persistent heatwave from the Southern Plains to the Northeast of the United States has resulted in multiple heat-related deaths as well as disrupted traveling and outdoor events.

Over 85 million Americans are under excessive heat warnings or heat advisories, according to a bulletin by the U.S. National Weather Service on Sunday.

A 73-year-old man from Allentown, Pennsylvania on Thursday succumbed to excessive heat exposure, complicated by underlying medical conditions, according to local officials.

Meanwhile, a 66-year-old woman who had underlying health conditions died of heat Thursday in Dallas county, Texas, said the Dallas County Health and Human Services.

It's estimated that hot temperatures in July have led to dozens of deaths including at least 17 fatalities from Maricopa county, Arizona.

The temperature also caused postponements or adjustments of sports events and delays of trains.

The Boston Triathlon, originally scheduled for Sunday, was postponed to Aug. 21 while participants competed in the New York City Triathlon with shortened courses on Sunday due to persistent heatwaves in the last few days.

"With temperatures expected to reach the mid-90s this Sunday, in collaboration with local officials and meteorologists, we have made the difficult decision to shorten the run and bike portions of the NYC Triathlon and Duathlon," said the NYC Triathlon in a statement on Thursday.

The U.S. National Railroad Passenger Corporation issued multiple alerts from Friday to Sunday on delays of its services in the Northeast due to heat-related speed restrictions.

Numerous record highs are forecast to be tied or broken in the Northeast of the United States, with heat index values up to 111 degrees Fahrenheit (37.4 degrees Celsius) on Sunday in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Oklahoma, according to the U.S. National Weather Service. 

Tourists stay hydrated on the National Mall as a heatwave brings temperature to nearly 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34.4 degrees Celsius) in Washington, D.C., the United States, on July 24, 2022. The persistent heatwave from the Southern Plains to the Northeast of the United States has resulted in multiple heat-related deaths as well as disrupted traveling and outdoor events.

Over 85 million Americans are under excessive heat warnings or heat advisories, according to a bulletin by the U.S. National Weather Service on Sunday. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

People inside an RV take photos of the sunset as a heatwave brings temperature to nearly 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34.4 degrees Celsius) in Washington, D.C., the United States, on July 24, 2022. The persistent heatwave from the Southern Plains to the Northeast of the United States has resulted in multiple heat-related deaths as well as disrupted traveling and outdoor events.

Over 85 million Americans are under excessive heat warnings or heat advisories, according to a bulletin by the U.S. National Weather Service on Sunday. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

Tourists stay hydrated on the National Mall as a heatwave brings temperature to nearly 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34.4 degrees Celsius) in Washington, D.C., the United States, on July 24, 2022. The persistent heatwave from the Southern Plains to the Northeast of the United States has resulted in multiple heat-related deaths as well as disrupted traveling and outdoor events.

Over 85 million Americans are under excessive heat warnings or heat advisories, according to a bulletin by the U.S. National Weather Service on Sunday. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

Tourists visit the Lincoln Memorial as a heatwave brings temperature to nearly 94 degrees Fahrenheit (34.4 degrees Celsius) in Washington, D.C., the United States, on July 24, 2022. The persistent heatwave from the Southern Plains to the Northeast of the United States has resulted in multiple heat-related deaths as well as disrupted traveling and outdoor events.

Over 85 million Americans are under excessive heat warnings or heat advisories, according to a bulletin by the U.S. National Weather Service on Sunday. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)