Quakes in Gujarat due to rise in water table: Experts
By IANSTuesday, September 28, 2010
GANDHINAGAR - A rise in the underground water table due to the heavy monsoon was responsible for the earthquakes this month in Porbandar and Jamnagar districts of Gujarat, and there is no need to worry, the state government said Tuesday.
A statement issued by the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA), quoting experts from the Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), said the quakes were up to 3.0 in the Richter scale and of normal intensity and there was no need to panic, but just remain alert.
According to ISR geophysicists and hydrologists, heavy rainfall often results in aftershocks with the rise in the underground water table. In Gujarat, the subsurface water has gone up by about 30 metres in heavy rainfall areas this monsoon. The state had faced similar situation in 2006 and 2007.
The region received 81 small and medium intensity quakes this month. One of 3.0 on Richter scale on Sep 23, felt mainly at Advana, Bhumiavadar, Sodhana and Majivana was the severest. The epicentre of most of these were in Lalpur-Bhanwad talukas.
In collaboration with respective district authorities, GSDMA plans to hold training camps to involve people’s involvement as precautionary measure, the statement said.
