WeatherFanatics: Storms Threaten Nepal Earthquake Survivors Seeking Shelter in Tents

Monday, April 27, 2015

Storms Threaten Nepal Earthquake Survivors Seeking Shelter in Tents

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

April 27,2015; 9:20PM,EDT

The weather threatens to interfere with search, rescue and cleanup operations in the wake of the major 7.8-magnitude earthquake that has killed thousands of people with the death toll mounting.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck at 11:56 a.m. local time Saturday (2:11 a.m. EDT Saturday), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter occurred 81 km (50 miles) northwest of Kathmandu, Nepal.
Widespread destruction in and around the epicenter resulted and the death toll continues to mount, according to AccuWeather.com Staff Writer Mark Leberfinger.
The USGS estimates that the final death toll could surpass 10,000 with the likelihood of $1 to $10 billion (USD) in damages.
The earthquake, which may be the second strongest on record in Nepal, caused major damage in Kathmandu. Avalanches were triggered on nearby Mount Everest.

View image on Twitter

Agence France-Presse ✔ @AFP

Helicopters airlift injured climbers off Mount Everest, an AFP team at the scene reports http://u.afp.com/F7w

3:35 AM - 26 Apr 2015

View image on Twitter

Siobhan Heanue ✔ @siobhanheanue

I took these photos an hour apart. Was wandering when quake demolished temples before my eyes. Heartbreaking.

6:31 AM - 25 Apr 2015

In addition to aftershocks that threaten to cause more damage, residents and crews searching for survivors and beginning to cleanup the destruction will now have to contend with adverse weather.
Showers and thunderstorms will rumble on a daily basis through at least the middle of the week. The activity will be most numerous during the afternoon and evening hours, stated AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Adam Douty.

Those without shelter or crews working outside will be at risk of being struck by lightning during any thunderstorm.
As was the case Saturday night, the weather could disrupt helicopters and planes trying to fly into the area and provide aid.
While the shower and thunderstorm activity will be less during the morning hours, other complications to air travel may arise as valley fog forms.
RELATED:
PHOTOS, VIDEOS: Death Toll Mounting After Major Nepal Earthquake
Detailed Forecast for Kathmandu, Nepal
Nepal Weather Center
Temperatures during the daylight hours in the valleys will rise into 20s C (70s F), but the nights will be on the cool side with temperatures dropping into the lower teens C (middle 50s) in Kathmandu and other valleys.
"The higher [in elevation] you go, the greater the threat for nighttime exposure," warned AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Jim Andrews.
The air will be cold enough in highest elevations for snow to fall. Andrews expects any snow to be above permanent settlements. More the rescue crews working to reach anyone in danger on Mt. Everest will be impacted.
No change to the weather pattern is expected for the second half of this week.
While the weather will provide some issues for rescue and recovery efforts, those left homeless from the disaster will not be exposed to the harsh weather experienced across the region during the winter and summer months.
Winter season low temperatures often fall to or below freezing in Kathmandu and the surrounding region during the months of December and January. Meanwhile, torrential rain and flooding often unfolds during the peak of monsoon season which falls from June into early September.

Injured people receive treatment outside the Medicare Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 25, 2015. A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake shook Nepal's capital and the densely populated Kathmandu Valley before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said. (AP Photo/ Niranjan Shrestha)
Meteorologist Eric Leister contributed to this story.

On Social Media

Tweets for this article AccuWeather Updates