DHAKA: The latest winter storm to hit the East Coast of the US has grounded more than 6,500 flights, while hundreds of thousands in the ice-encrusted south remained without power.

In the capital, Washington had at least 20cm of snow, and federal offices and the city`s two main airports were closed on Thursday. New York City reported a similar amount of snow.

At least 20 deaths, most of them in traffic accidents, were blamed on the storm as it made its way across the south and up the coast, the AP news agency reported.

Among the victims was a pregnant woman who was struck and killed by a snowplough in New York City. Her baby was delivered in critical condition via caesarean section.

"Snow has become a four-letter word," said Tom McGarrigle, chairman of the Delaware County Council in suburban Philadelphia.

The White House cancelled its daily news briefing, and federal agencies told workers to stay home.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said it had contacted state emergency offices in densely populated Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia to assess their assistance needs, the AFP news agency reported.

In addition to the FEMA aid, various localities across the region had readied emergency shelters at churches and recreation centres where residents could stay warm should they lose power.

Military personnel had also been mobilised, with more than 2,300 Army and Air National Guard pressed into action, according to a Pentagon statement.

Source: Al-Jazeera
BDST: 1412  HRS, FEB 14, 2014