EARTH QUAKE ROCKS SOMWARPET?

Madikeri July 27, 2005

Residents of Biligeri village near Somwarpet are shaken as the earth has cracked for about 1.5 kilometers, cutting through their houses, yesterday night.

The crack appeared instantly after a thunderous sound during midnight, the residents say. The earth is cut from the top of a hill almost in a straight line. Around three houses coming across the line developed cracks, including a concrete house.

The roof, the floor, the steps, nothing was left uncut! People have become highly panicky as the rainwater is entering the ground.

Tahasildar and police officers visited the spot and vacated the inmates of the damaged houses. People living on either side of the crack were also shifted to safety.

The Deputy commissioner Mr.Subodh yadav told this correspondent that the occurrence may not be earth quake and may be a sign of a huge land slide. But the residents do not agree with that. Only thorough investigation and time will reveal the actual fact.

THERE WAS QUAKE AT SOMWARPET;

Madikeri July 28, 2005

Geologists and seismological departments view the unusual crack developed in earth at Biligeri area differently. While the geological officials considered it as displacement of rock due to heavy rainfall, the seismological department at

Harangi registers a 0.5 Richter quake!

The district geological officer Mr.Sherief today visited Biligeri, which was rocked by the unusual happening and inspected the spot. He told this correspondent after the inspection that the crack on earth is a result of displacement of rocks underneath.

He said that more than six inches of rainfall each day since a week has caused this crack. Saying that this is only a sign of landslide down the valley, he ruled out the possibility of any earthquake.

Deputy commissioner Mr.Subodh Yadav told that the families living in the area are advised to shift till the rainfall subsides.

Contrary to the statement of the geological officer, this correspondent got the records verified at the seismological office at Harangi reservoir. The instrument there has registered 0.5 Richter quake on the night of 26th.

Possibility of earthquake cannot be ruled out at Somwarpet taluk as it was experienced a couple of months ago. The intensity of the quake was 3 Richter at that time.