Taking the rising scale of the tremors and the subsequent fear in the people of Nanded into account, the state government has appointed a committee of the geology experts from three renowned institutions to study the seismic activity in Nanded.
With 500 incidences of tremors since 2007 - highest being 3.17 on Richter scale two weeks ago - the local administration apprehensive that if it crosses 5 on Richter scales, it could cause damage to the human lives and property.
A committee of experts in geology and earth sciences from Geological Survey of India, Swami Ramanand Teerth University, Nanded and National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad has been constituted to study the micro generation. The committee will identify the most affected and vulnerable areas and the potential damage due to the tremors. State government has released the calamity fund of Rs46.66 lakh last week to facilitate the study.
“This is the phenomena we have been experiencing since 2007. The villagers experience mild tremors and rumbling from the earth. The tremors are experienced generally in the post monsoon season. The latest one of 3.17 on Richter scale being the largest tremor so far. If the scale reaches 5, it could cause serious damage. We have taken the rise in scale very seriously,” said Nishikant Deshpande, resident district collector, Nanded.
The district collectorate has undertaken awareness programmes on tehsil and grampanchayat levels, and in schools and colleges. “Though the earthquake in Japan cannot be compared with the tremors in Nanded, there is fear, undoubtedly, in the minds of the villagers. The villagers are taught about the immediate measures and precautions to be taken in case of eventuality,” said an official from the collectorate.
Of nearly 51.76 sq km of the total area of the city and rural Nanded district, more than 20 sq km is affected with the tremors. Sneh Nagar, Pawadebaug, Agricultural college, Shreya Nagar are most affected areas in Nanded. After 39 shocks in barely two hours on March 3, 2011 led to the apprehension among the people who spent two sleepless nights. The committee was constituted immediately after the tremors.
“We have been monitoring the incidences very minutely. Architects, engineers and government officials have been involved in mitigation measures,” said an official from the state disaster management cell.
