WASHINGTON, July 26 (Xinhuanet) -- A relentless heat wave has swept across the Midwest and the East Coast of the United States since last week, causing record-high temperatures in many areas and claiming dozens of lives.

    The National Weather Service reported Tuesday that nearly 200 cities in the West hit daily record highs last week, including Las Vegas at around 47-degree Celsius and Death Valley soared to 53-degree Celsius.

    In Washington DC and nearby Maryland, residents are expected to experience the hottest weather of this year Tuesday afternoon as temperature will probably hit 38-degree Celius.

    The National Weather Service have issued warnings from Nebraska to Washington DC and from Illinois to Louisiana, telling people to drink plenty of water, remain inside air-conditioned rooms and stay out of the sun.

    The relentless heat, combined with high humidity, has took dozens of lives in recent days, including 24 in Phoenix, Arizona, alone.

    In Missouri, Oklahoma and New Jersey, the heat has caused at least 11 deaths.

    To relieve their suffering, people relied heavily on the air conditioners or tried to find a cool place such as swimming pools and fountains.

    Demand for electricity to run air conditioners hit record high Monday in Ohio and Tennessee.

    The good news is that a break in the heat is already on the way,at least for the Midwest. Some areas will begin to feel relief on Wednesday. Enditem