In Pics | Texas cold snap: Millions struggle due to shortage of power, water

A historic winter weather that brought bitter, record-busting cold to much of the southern and central US was pushing up the East Coast on Thursday, with forecasters warning of heavy snowfall and dangerous icy buildups. The frigid blast has over the past week seen Arctic cold envelope the US heartland, unfamiliar with such extremes, leaving dozens dead and millions of people in oil-rich Texas without power. The state's electrical grid operator, ERCOT, was trying to restore power as thermal generators - those powered by natural gas, coal and other fuels - lost the capability to provide power as valves and pipes froze. Let us take a look at the situation in Texas.

A historic winter weather system that brought bitter, record-busting cold to much of the southern and central US was pushing up the East Coast on Thursday, with forecasters warning of heavy snowfall and dangerous, icy buildups. Credit: AFP photo.

An aerial view from a drone shows electrical lines running through a neighbourhood on February 19, 2021, in Austin, Texas. Credit: AFP photo.

Workers with Houston Public Works prepare to load cases of water into waiting cars during a mass water distribution at Delmar Stadium on February 19, 2021 in Houston, Texas. Credit: AFP photo.

Cars line up to receive free cases of water after the city of Houston implemented a boil water advisory following an unprecedented winter storm, in an aerial photograph taken at Delmar Stadium in Houston, Texas. Credit: Reuters photo.

Indy Lee, a volunteer at the Salvation Army, readies a meal to be served as an increased number of people seek refuge after winter weather caused electricity blackouts in Plano, Texas. Credit: Reuters photo.

A neighborhood in Waco, Texas, is still covered in ice and snow. Credit: AFP photo.

Deloris Sanchez, 56, and Mallissa Lee, 52, sit on a couch while taking shelters at Gallery Furniture store which opened its door and transformed into a warming station after winter weather caused electricity blackouts. Credit: AFP photo.

Couple Renne Alva, 37, and Travis Wasicek, 43, sit amongst their belongings along Seawall Boulevard as they embrace to keep each other warm. Credit: Reuters photo.

Michael Kirkland, 57, rests on a chair while taking shelter at Gallery Furniture store which opened its door and transformed into a warming station. Credit: AFP photo.