Mild tremors in city, Eastern Vidarbha

Mild tremors in city, Eastern Vidarbha
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NAGPUR, JUNE 23: Nagpur and most areas of Eastern Vidarbha experienced mild tremors late this afternoon as a earthquake of `slight' intensity struck south-east border of the State, about 40 kms west-south-west of Chandrapur. However, no damage to property or casualties were reported.

The earthquake measuring 4.0 on Richter Scale, was recorded at 3.40.41 pm and lasted for about 86 seconds.

In the city, the tremors were felt for five to six seconds. The tremors were felt by a large section of citizens. People rang up newspaper offices to confirm the quake. The reports of quake were initially confirmed by the Jayprakash Nagar Seismological Observatory of the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) here. The met office then got the quake confirmed from the Indian Meteorological Department headquarters at New Delhi.

S Vishwanadham, director of the RMC, told The Indian Express that the epicentre was about 143 kms from Nagpur city. The magnitude of earthquake recorded in Nagpur observatory was 2.39 on Richter's Scale. The epicentre was said to be 30 kms below ground level.

Dr Abhinaba Roy, director (geology), Seismology and Seismotectonic Division of the central region office of Geological Survey of India (GSI) told this newspaper that going by the initial locational figures, it seemed that the quake had occurred in the Godavari Valley Rift Zone. The North-West - South-East running rift zone contains number of geological formations ranging from the very old Archeans (about 2000 year old) to proterozoic Pakhal formations to the comparatively recent Deccan Traps belonging to cretacious age.

Dr Roy said that though the GSI is not aware of any typical recent activity or fault zone in the area, quake there may not be considered unusual. He, however, added that the reason and exact geoseismology of the quake could be ascertained only after detailed study.

His statement was backed by S S Kanwar, deputy director general (DDG), GSI, who said that the GSI would look into the quake.

This is the second experience of this kind for Vidarbhites in the last three years. The worse experience was on May 22, 1997, when quake rocked Jabalpur, killing a number of people, devastating the city and surrounding areas.

In Chandrapur, the tremors were felt prominently. Though no damage was reported from anywhere, a wave of panic spread amongst the citizens, who contacted the police department, district authorities and newspaper offices to confirm the quake.

Tremors were also reported from Majri, Warora, Bhadravati, Durgapur, Ballarpur, Rajura, Gonpipari, Pombhurna, Gadchandur and Awarpur.