Storms may hinder rescue efforts after deadly Kolkata, India, flyover collapse

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

March 31,2016; 9:11PM,EDT

 

 

Thunderstorms threaten to hinder efforts to free those feared trapped after a flyover, or overpass, collapsed in Kolkata, India, on Thursday.
More than 20 people were killed when the flyover under construction collapsed onto a street with moving traffic near Kolkata's Girish Park, CNN reported.
As many as 100 people were unaccounted for immediately following the incident, they said.

Locals and rescue workers clear the rubble of a partially collapsed overpass in Kolkata, India, on Thursday, March 31, 2016. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)
No rain or strong winds were reported at Kolkata's international airport Thursday morning and early afternoon. Dry weather, instead, prevailed as temperatures climbed to 36.1 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit).
"There was some heavy rain in the area on Wednesday," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls said.
"There will be showers and thunderstorms around into Thursday evening and again Friday afternoon."
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Such unsettled weather threatens to hinder or suspend rescue efforts, especially with the prospect of lightning.
Reuters reports that "access for heavy lifting equipment [is] restricted by the proximity of buildings on either side of the flyover and heavy traffic."
Construction on the flyover has been ongoing since 2009 with several deadlines for completion missed.