Bad Weather affects Nepal Quake Survivors

(Vatican Radio) Last Saturday’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal has left more than 4,300 people dead, with that number expected to rise above 10,000.

Bad weather has affected the rescue efforts and may increase the risk of an epidemic. 

Terence Lee, Chief of Special Projects for The Himalayan Times, spoke to Devin Watkins about the situation.

Listen to the interview:

Mr. Lee said that after 72 hours it is finally possible to begin taking stock of the situation, now that the aftershocks have diminished.

'Seventy-two hours have gone by and things are slowly limping back to normal and the aftershocks have become lesser so people are venturing out a bit.

'Now they're actually taking better stock of the situation, supplies, the areas that were affected.'

He also acknowledges that aid has already arrived but that much of it is being backlogged at the country's single international airport. 

'The problems that they are having, I think, is in terms of distribution [...] and so the food is coming in and is stuck at the airport.'

When asked what type of aid will be needed, Mr. Lee noted the increasing rainfall and subsequent risk of an epidemic.

'More will be needed in terms of doctors, actual medical professionals, medication, because we do see the biggest danger they are talking about now is the epidemics, because it is raining and people are living out in makeshift shelters.'