New York begins clear-up after mammoth snowfall

The United States of America has started digging out from the weekend's massive snowstorm which hit the eastern part of the country, and led to a travel ban in New York City.

The travel ban in New York City, the most populated settlement in the US, has ended.

According to City Mayor Bill de Blasio, the snowfall was the second-highest since records began in 1869.

As five states saw snowfall of three feet (91cm) or more, the hazards of shovelling snow were brought home by at least six deaths.

A further 12 people have died in other snow-related incidents since Friday.

The storm, dubbed Snowmageddon and Snowzilla on social media, had weakened by last night and was heading for the Atlantic Ocean.

The snowfall, according to a BBC report, affected some 85 million people, cutting power to 200,000 people. The heaviest fall was recorded in Glengary, West Virginia, which had 42ins (107 cm).

In Washington DC, it is not certain when the metro, closed due to the snow, will open and air travel in the region faces further disruption.

Some 7,000 flights were cancelled this weekend and disruption is to continue into the working week, with at least 615 cancelled for today (Monday).