Washington: The severe winter storm that hit large parts of America has devastated the entire America with heavy snow and freezing rain. In many areas the temperature went much below normal. Due to this, electricity was lost in thousands of houses and emergency had to be declared in more than 20 states.

According to media reports and government officials, half of America’s population i.e. about 19 crore people are forced to remain confined to their homes. Warnings of cold and bad weather were given in 37 states of the country. The effects of snowfall and cold were seen from the Rockies to New England.

This storm has especially raised concerns about the power system in Texas. Although the Meteorological Department said that conditions may gradually improve next week, cold and snow may persist in some areas of New England and around the Great Lakes. Until then, people have been advised to stay at home, limit travel and be prepared for prolonged disruption.

Due to this winter storm in America, there was severe cold in Central and Eastern America. At many places, temperatures ranging from minus 20 to minus 30 degrees were felt with cold winds. According to the Meteorological Department, the temperature dropped by 10 to 40 degrees below normal.

Due to snow and freezing, power lines were broken and infrastructure was damaged. Till Saturday, more than 1 lakh 32 thousand houses in the entire country were without electricity. The biggest impact was on the areas of South and Southwest, which include Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico.

In Texas, more than 57 thousand consumers were without power as of Saturday afternoon, while in Louisiana, more than 45 thousand homes and institutions were without power. Officials said the situation was worse in northern parts of Louisiana.

Due to the storm, the travel system was also badly affected, especially air services. Over the weekend, more than 14 thousand flights had to be canceled across the country and further cancellations are expected to take place. Officials warned that this was one of the worst days for flights in US aviation history due to weather.

Officials said airports in Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte and Nashville were most affected. As the situation worsened, emergency announcements spread rapidly. At least 20 states, including Texas, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia and several Midwestern and Southern states, declared a state of emergency. According to officials, Washington DC also declared a state of emergency.

Officials in South Carolina told people to be prepared for prolonged power outages. Governor Henry McMaster said that due to heavy snow accumulation, some areas may be without power for several days.

Noem said, we want to remind everyone that in these emergency disaster situations, your local officials and local emergency managers are the ones who go out and respond to these disasters. Your states manage it and the federal government is here to support.

President Donald Trump approved federal emergency declarations for several states, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist in relief and rescue operations. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appealed to people to pay attention to local guidance and avoid non-essential travel.

The Meteorological Department described it as the most severe snow storm in the region in almost 20 years. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger described this storm as very destructive. Federal offices in the Washington DC area were ordered closed on Monday and most worked from home. Public transportation services in New Jersey were also stopped due to security reasons.

Freezing snow and sleet fell from New Mexico to the Tennessee Valley, while heavy snowfall was recorded in many areas of the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Due to snowfall in Washington, frozen snow was seen in front of the White House. Machines were being used to remove it.