[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] On the 20th (local time), U.S. President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the state of Texas, which suffered extensive damage including large-scale power outages due to a winter storm and cold wave. This is expected to enable the rapid deployment of federal government funds for recovery efforts in Texas.
More than 60 people have died nationwide due to the cold wave, with over 20 deaths reported in Texas alone.
In Texas, the largest oil and gas producing state in the U.S., abnormal weather caused power outages that halted factories and left nearly half of the residents still without proper water supply. According to foreign media, power plants across the state have resumed operations, but more than 195,000 households remain without electricity.
President Biden is also considering visiting Texas in person to review the federal government's disaster response efforts.
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