US faces blizzard-hit working week

Millions of people across the eastern US face huge challenges with the working week set to begin, following a massive snowstorm that virtually paralysed many cities, reports BBC.

Public transport will be patchy, many roads are still treacherous and airports remain severely disrupted.

Government buildings in Washington and many schools will be closed on Monday.

Near record snowfall swept from the capital to New York, with at least 29 deaths reported since Friday.

The fatalities were as a result of car accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning and heart attacks suffered while shovelling snow.

`Snowmageddon`

Many East Coast residents spent Sunday digging out their cars and clearing pathways of snow which reached about 3ft (91cm) in five states.

The storm, dubbed "Snowmageddon" and "Snowzilla", has now weakened and headed out into the Atlantic Ocean.

It affected some 85 million people, at one point cutting the power to 300,000 people. The heaviest fall was recorded in Glengary, West Virginia, which had 42in.

In New York City - which saw its second-highest snowfall since records began in 1869 - a travel ban that effectively shut the city down now been lifted.

However, officials urged residents to stay off the roads while they are cleared by snow ploughs.

New York`s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has said that almost all public transport services will be running in time for the morning rush hour, including nearly 80% of the overground Long Island Rail Road.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio urged people to leave their cars covered with snow all week, but he tweeted that the city was now "bouncing back".

In Washington DC, less used to dealing with heavy snow, an "extremely limited" metro, rail and bus service is due to run and residents have been warned to expect delays. Officials said fares would not be charged.

Mayor Muriel Bowser urged drivers to keep off the roads again on Monday "so that we can clear those major arteries".

Federal government offices and public schools in the US capital will remain shut throughout the day, and there will be no classes in the suburbs on Tuesday as well.

Virginia`s state employees were told to stay home on Monday.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike reopened on Sunday afternoon, after hundreds of vehicles got stuck on the key motorway that runs across the state.

Nearly 12,000 flights had to be cancelled over the weekend.

Hundreds more will be cancelled on Monday, although airports in New York City, Baltimore, and Philadelphia have limited services.