Washington

In the wake of a persistent heat wave, more than 85 million Americans are under excessive heat warnings or heat advisories, according to the US National Weather Service (NWS).

It said that numerous record highs were forecast to be tied or broken in the Northeast of the US, with heat index values up to 37.4 degrees Celsius in parts of Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Oklahoma.

It is estimated that hot temperatures in July have led to dozens of deaths across the United States 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, has been postponed to August 21 while participants competed in the New York City Triathlon with shortened courses.

ALSO READ: 2 dead, 5 injured in Los Angeles Park shooting

The US National Railroad Passenger Corporation issued multiple alerts from over the weekend on delays of its services in the Northeast due to heat-related speed restrictions.