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Expert warns of a Latur in MP

An earthquake could occur in Madhya Pradesh's Pandhana, renowned geo-physicist Dr Janardan Gapat Negi has warned.

This region of Khandwa district has experienced about 900 underground rumblings, including one of intensity three on the Richter scale, in the past 45 days. The mild tremors caused cracks on some houses.

Dr Negi, who visited the region at the request of Indore Divisional Commissioner Iqbal Ahmed and the Khandwa district administration, said though it was not possible to predict an earthquake, the rumblings were not a good sign.

He said seismological studies indicated that any major earthquake measuring six on the Richter scale could have its impact within 40 to 50 kilometres around Pandhana. As the region was under the Narmada zone, an area of 125 to 150 km, 75 km north of river Narmada.

Thirty-three earthquakes with an intensity of four on the Richter scale have been recorded in this belt during the last 200 years.

There was an increased possibility of earthquake in Pandhana as the tremors of a powerful earthquake, measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, which rocked the Satpura ranges near Maheshwar on March 14, 1938 were felt there.

Dr Negi, a scientist at the National Geo-Physics Institute, Hyderabad, said underground rumblings similar to that of Pandhana were recorded at Killari in Latur before a powerful earthquake hit it. After 1,200 underground noises, an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale occurred on October 18, 1992. Another powerful quake rocked the region on September 30,1993.

Dr Negi added that an earthquake rocked Jabalpur and nearby areas in the early hours of May 22, 1997.

He said it was not possible to predict how long the rumblings would continue. Experts were of the view that silence, after a series of rumblings, could be an indication of major seismological developments in the near future, he added.

He denied the quakes in the Narmada valley were due to the dams being constructed on the river -- dams would not cause earthquakes.

Talking about the precautions to be taken in Pandhana, he said the local population should be informed everyday the developments. It was necessary to create awareness among them.

Reiterating his demand for setting up a modern seismological observatory at Khandwa, Dr Negi said Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar should have more such observatories.

He alleged that the World Bank assistance for the purpose has not been utilised. The amount would lapse in December, he warned.

UNI

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