Turkey earthquake rescue efforts complicated by bitter cold. What to know 

Overnight temperatures in the worst-hit areas of the Turkey earthquake are set to dip below freezing, raising concerns about those left homeless and still trapped under the rubble.

Extreme cold weather is impeding rescue efforts in the second day of searching for survivors of deadly earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.

Overnight temperatures in the worst-hit areas are set to dip below freezing, raising concerns about those left homeless or still trapped under the rubble.

In the Turkish city of Gaziantep, the epicenter of Monday’s 7.8 magnitude quake, the overnight forecast for Tuesday was -5 degrees Celsius.

In neighbouring Syria, temperature in the northeastern city of Aleppo, could drop as low as -2 degrees Celsius, according to the Weather Channel.

With damp, snowy and bitter cold conditions expected to continue in the region for the rest of the week, it’s a challenging time for all affected.

A massive relief operation is underway in the two countries reeling from the effects of two powerful earthquakes that have killed over 6,200 people so far and left tens of thousands injured or homeless.

“It’s now a race against time,” said World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus at a briefing in Geneva on Tuesday. “Every minute, every hour that passes, the chances of finding survivors alive diminishes.”

“Continued aftershocks, severe winter conditions, damage to roads, power supplies, communications and other infrastructure continue to hamper access and other search and rescue efforts,” the WHO chief added.