Weak tremors rumoured to be destructive earthquakes, have kept the panic-stricken residents of Borabanda on the vigil for the past 48 hours.
Reports emerged of earthquake during the late hours of Friday and Saturday, when residents of the area heard some sounds emanating from the ground below. Some even claimed tremors, caused by a powerful earthquake, had caused cracks in their buildings. Local leaders, including GHMC deputy mayor, stayed put in the area until wee hours of Sunday. However, all that scientists from the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), who set up four seismic monitors in the area, could record were micro tremors measuring close to zero on Richter scale. “These micro-earthquakes were a few tens of meters beneath the ground. It has been happening for the past few days due to release of energy from fissures that were filled by rain water,” said D. Srinagesh, an NGRI scientist. He said the seismic activity in Borabanda could hardly be considered a threat.
“Even an earthquake of magnitude three cannot damage a building. These micro-tremors measured 0.1 or less. In fact, our station in Habsiguda could hardly pick up anything,” Srinagesh said adding that, the activity in Borabanda is expected to continue for a while and residents have nothing to fear.