The variety of maps is now increasing. In addition to the regular update map, we have started to produce special one-off maps for specific 'customers' on a limited distribution.  This actually is interesting our GIS specialists because they can use more of the power of the GIS tools at their disposal. One particular terrain map is probably the clearest map yet that depicts the broad sweep of the physical geography of the affected area.  It shows the valleys and mountains with clarity and enables the decision makers to understand at a glance the physical geography of the region.  
Alex produced a specialized map that analysed the slope steepness of the terrain. This is an important tool to help the logistic planners in their task of finding level camp sites. In the mountainous region there are not too many suitable places, and even then, those that are suitable have to be near to routes that can deliver aid, or at least allow aircraft to airdrop supplies without losing the goods down the mountain.


Typical mountainous terrain - top left is a dustcloud from a landslide, just triggered by an aftershock.

Phil Bridges, Kathrin Renner and Geoff Dart are being despatched tomorrow by helicopter on a mission to the disaster region.  They shall be conducting a recce that will take them to Muzaffrabad, Bagh, and Rawalakot.  Anne Frankland and Jonathan Douch, meanwhile, are now into their stride having arrived yesterday, and have slotted into the team and routine.  As I write this, Anne is grappling with a logistics map that the Joint Logistic Centre want, and is learning something of their methodology in the process.  Both Anne and Alex came into the main coordinating conference today to gain a feel for the issues occupying the minds of the aid workers and the personalities concerned.

Back in the UK, Nicky Capes has ordered more of the Russian map data.  The coverage we have stops at a certain point so we need more to extend our panel of information, further north and south.  The Russian data remains the best we have but as it's in cyrillic it has its limitations.  Furthermore, a note from our webmaster, Steve Sherwin, has highlighted that yesterday the MapAction website was accessed by 600 visitors and that since the start of the deployment, visitors to the site from 68 nations have downloaded 3000 maps.

Without our three people tomorrow, during the period of their recce to the north, the rest of us will be kept busy - situation: normal.