Kathmandu, Feb 20: Six US states—Kentucky, Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Indiana—are facing severe flooding, with Kentucky being the hardest hit. In the past six days, Kentucky has reported 12 deaths, while West Virginia and Georgia reported two and one deaths, respectively.

According to CBC News, about 90 million people in these states are experiencing extreme cold due to a polar vortex. Temperatures have dropped to record lows, leading to school closures, burst water pipes, and widespread power outages. More than 14,000 homes are without electricity, and water supplies have been cut off at 17,000 locations.

National Weather Service meteorologist Andrew Orison reported that parts of central and western US have experienced temperatures as low as minus 50 to minus 60 degrees. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey said more people are missing as floodwaters continue to rise, with over 1,000 rescues conducted in Kentucky and nearby areas.

Heavy rainfall—up to 6 inches (15 cm) in some areas—has led to rapidly rising river levels and vehicles being trapped in floodwaters. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for Kentucky, predicting further rises in river levels and a continued drop in temperatures.

The polar vortex, a counterclockwise flow of cold air typically centered around the North Pole, is believed to be the primary cause of the flooding. When the vortex shifts southward, it brings extreme cold to parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. Recent research suggests that rapid Arctic warming may be pushing the vortex further south, intensifying cold weather events in affected areas.