A massive earthquake aftershock of 6.7 on the Richter scale hit Nepal Sunday morning, shaking frightened residents out of their morning slumber and sending them into alarm again. This large earthquake aftershock comes after a devastating initial earthquake on Saturday of 7.8 that flattened several of the capital city Kathmandu’s national treasures and killed more than 2,500 people.
Help for Earthquake Aftershocks on the Way
Countries all over the globe are rushing to travel to and send aid to Nepal as more earthquake aftershocks continue to plague the area. The first responders were nearby India, Pakistan and China. Planes from India landed Sunday carrying 43 tons of aid material such as tents and food, along with almost 200 rescue workers. The planes returned to India carrying Indian nationals that had been stranded in Kathmandu. More flights are planned.
Sixty-two members of a search and rescue team arrived Sunday from China, while other support came in from the nations of Germany, the United Arab Emirates, and France. Pakistan is sending four massive C-130 cargo planes to travel to Nepal, supplied with a temporary hospital that includes doctors, specialists and surgeons. A search and rescue team has also been sent equipped with concrete cutters, search dogs and ground-penetrating radar. They are also providing water bottles, medicine, 600 blankets, 200 tents and 2,000 ready to eat meals.
As earthquake aftershocks continue to hit, tent cities are popping up all over Kathmandu and emergency personnel struggle to search through collapsed buildings looking for survivors and dead. The narrow streets of the city have sometimes hampered efforts because heavy equipment cannot pass through. People have resorted to using pickaxes, shovels and bare hands in efforts to reach victims.
There have been numerous aftershocks after the initial quake; the U.S. Geological Survey states that this 6.7 has been the strongest. People in the affected areas are sleeping outdoors to keep safe, despite cool nighttime weather. Efforts are underway to provide shelter, food and water to the tens of thousands that have been displaced.
Worst Earthquake Since 1934
The earthquake that occurred in January of 1934 hit Nepal and India and was a magnitude 8.2 on the Richter scale. It virtually wiped out the cities of Kathmandu, Mungar, and Musaffarp. The epicenter of that quake was approximately 6 miles south of Mount Everest. The initial 7.8 quake on Saturday was centered approximately 40 miles from Kathmandu, while the earthquake aftershock of 6.7 was further east and closer to Mount Everest. Victims of the initial quake and the earthquake aftershocks have been recorded in Bangladesh, Tibet, and India.
The initial quake caused massive avalanches at Mount Everest, causing the death of at least 18 people who had traveled there to climb the mountain. Most of the dead were at the icefall basecamp preparing to make their ascent. Search efforts there are also ongoing, while the area is also affected by strong earthquake aftershocks.
Help Finding Victims and Survivor
Google and Facebook have opened their locator websites to help earthquake victims connect and find family and loved ones. People can sign on to Google’s Person Finder or Facebook Safety Update to search or provide information on people affected by the massive 7.8 earthquake and the 6.7 and other earthquake aftershocks.
Meet Chris Keeling, the top mountain biker in Nepal competed in the the Nepal Downhill Mountain Bike Championship 2014:
https://youtu.be/a4cTnMvOplQ
