Phoenix issues heat warning, four people die from heat in Arizona

Phoenix issues heat warning, four people die from heat in Arizona The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for most of Arizona for the entire week of next week...

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for most of Arizona for the entire week of next week.

The high temperature in Phoenix on Sunday is expected to reach 49 degrees Celsius, with no signs of cooling down all week long.

Last week, the temperature in Phoenix, Arizona soared to 47.7 degrees Celsius, 3 degrees Celsius higher than the record set in 1968. Affected by the heat wave, at least four people died of heatstroke in Arizona. Among them, a 25-year-old man died in the heat last Saturday while hiking in Pinal County near Phoenix. The next day, another 28-year-old woman died from the heat wave even though she drank plenty of water while hiking with her friends.

In the face of such hot weather, experts warn that very young children and the elderly should stay indoors, and warn those who go out to prevent heat-related illnesses: hunger and thirst, red skin, cramps and extreme fatigue.

Phoenix authorities and local churches have set up shelters for the homeless. The power company is arranging more manpower on duty to ensure that there is sufficient power for air conditioning. People are being advised not to walk their dogs during the day, with temperatures on streets and pavements likely to reach a scorching 76C.

Meteorologists pointed out that the extreme high temperature weather is caused by a strong high pressure system controlling parts of the southwestern United States.