The majority of deaths have been caused by heatstroke and drowning as sweltering Russians jump into lakes and rivers in an effort to cool off.

Forest fires: Broken out across the country

In particular the authorities are blaming vodka-soaked summer picnics for causing the drownings.

"It is a part of the Russian tradition and maybe our mentality also," said Yuri Videneyev of Moscow's civil defence forces.

"People always include alcoholic beverages in a picnic basket at the beach. And there is a Russian saying that a drunken person is a daredevil."

Eleven people were reported to have drowned in Moscow's lakes and rivers in one 24 hour period alone.

Deadly heat

Cooling off: Russians have taken any opportunity

Other former Soviet republics are suffering similar problems.

"Unfortunately our people lack what you might call a culture of sensible behavior," said Viktor Progodich of Belarus' rescue service.

Russia's overcrowded prison population is also reported to be falling victim to the heat.

On Wednesday prison officials in St Petersburg were quoted as saying that at least one inmate a day was dying as a result of the heat.

Forest tinderbox

Overcrowded prisons: Heat is taking its toll

Forest fires are also a growing problem as parched woodland becomes a ready tinderbox for a carelessly discarded cigarette or an out of control bonfire.

(Click here to see a map showing reported fires across Russia)

The heatwave has already broken all previous records since monitoring began more than 100 years ago.

With the mercury registering a steady 33C (91F) for weeks officials at Moscow's Ministry of Emergency Situations say that only a break in the heat can help to bring the situation under control.

Fire fighters have been battling to keep the fires under control, but as soon as one subsides another breaks out elsewhere stretching resources even further.

State of emergency

Flammable peat: Spreading the fires

A particular problem are the peat bogs upon which much of the woodland grows as it holds the fires and spreads them underground.

Around Moscow and St Petersburg smoke and flames have begun to cloud roads on the outskirts.

Many other regions have already declared a state of emergency.

So far the fires themselves have not caused any casualties but authorities fear that without a change in the weather fatalities could be just a matter of time.