US snowstorm chaos: emergency declared, 13000+ flights cancelled, millions without power

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A severe snowstorm that hit the United States on January 24th has completely disrupted life. Heavy snowfall, hail, and freezing rain have paralyzed transportation across the country, while millions are experiencing power outages. This storm has affected approximately 40 percent of the US population.

The US National Weather Service has forecast widespread and heavy snowfall from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England from Saturday through Monday. The department warned that people in many areas should be prepared for several days of bitter cold and severe weather.

"The amount of snow is significant and will melt slowly," said National Weather Service meteorologist Alison Santorelli. "It's not going away anytime soon, and it will hinder relief and recovery efforts." Given the severity of the storm, US President Donald Trump has authorized the declaration of emergencies in at least a dozen states by Saturday. Officials say more states may be declared in the future.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has already deployed essential supplies, staff, and search and rescue teams to several states. The weather service has warned that the damage caused by this snowstorm, especially in snow-affected areas, could be as severe as a hurricane. Meanwhile, approximately 120,000 power outages were recorded on Saturday due to the storm. Of these, approximately 50,000 homes in Texas and Louisiana each experienced power outages.