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Extreme cold weather in Texas leaves millions without power, 21 dead
Reuters
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Lincoln, Nebraska, recorded a record minus 31 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 35 degrees Celsius) on Tuesday shattering 1978 record of minus 18F (minus 27C); Covid-19 inoculation centres shut; operations at Texan oil fields hit
A historic winter storm has killed at least 21 people, left millions of Texans without power and spun killer tornadoes into the US Southeast on Tuesday.
The brutal cold has engulfed vast swaths of the United States, shuttering Covid-19 inoculation centres and hindering vaccine supplies. It is not expected to relent until the weekend.
Officials in Texas drew criticism as the state energy grid repeatedly failed, forcing rolling blackouts. Freezing weather stilled giant wind turbines that dot the West Texas landscape, making it impossible for energy companies to meet escalating demand.
At least 21 people died in Texas as deadly snowstorm slammed the United States, leaving millions of netizens without power. The deep freeze temperature disrupted the normal life and the COVID-19 vaccine drive in the vast swaths of the US. The giant turbines of energy companies were stilled by the cold weather, making it impossible to meet the electricity demand. President Joe Biden assured the state governors of hard-hit states that the federal government stands ready to offer emergency resources. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said, "It s critically, critically important to get the power restored as quickly as possible. It s priority number one!". According to reports, the weather conditions will remain continue till Friday. Forecasters predicted up to 4 inches of snow and freezing rain from the southern Plains into the Northeast. "We re calling it Storm System No. 2, with very similar placement to the previous storm," said meteorologist Lara Pagano of the National