rediff.com: Houses damaged as quake rocks Maharashtra, Goa: PTI

Several houses in Satara, Sangli and Kolhapur districts of Maharashtra were damaged when an earthquake of moderate intensity jolted many parts of Maharashtra and Goa early on Tuesday.

The tremor, measuring an average of 5.0 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre at Warna in the quake-prone Koyna dam region in Satara district, was felt around 0602 hours, Met sources said in Bombay.

Panic gripped residents as several houses in Sanbur, Kasani and Rule of Patan taluka in Satara district developed cracks while the walls of 11 houses collapsed after initial tremors.

There were no reports of loss of life or extensive damage to property from any region.

The earthquake was also felt in Solapur, Poona, Ratnagiri, Nasik, Thana, Bombay and Kalyan.

The Koyna dam, where the state has a hydel power project, was also unaffected by the earthquake.

The exact location of the quake was 17.3 latitude and 73.8 longitude in Koyna region, the Pune Meteorology Department said. Eight aftershocks of minor intensity were also reported from the area, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre sources in Bombay said, adding that for the first time the seismic activity had shifted south-east from south of the Koyna reservoir.

A light tremor was also felt in Goa, though there were no reports of damage to life and property.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh took stock of the situation and has put the government machinery on alert.

According to a report from Kolhapur, where the tremor lasted for 15 to 20 seconds, people ran out of their houses to the safety of open spaces after hearing a rumbling sound.

The quake was also felt near Tandoli dam in Shirola taluka of Satara district, Pune Divisional Commissioner Umesh Chandra Sarangi said, adding that tremors were also felt at Chiplun and Karad districts in the state.

Eight out of 11 talukas in Solapur district, south Solapur, north Solapur, Pandharpur, Sangola, Malshiras, Mohol, Akkalkot and Mangalwedha experienced the tremors.

According to District Collector Deepak Kapoor, tehsildars of each taluka had been directed to tour the taluka to assess the situation.

Gouribidum, BARC's seismology station, 200 km from Koyan, also recorded eight aftershocks of very low intensity.


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