Cracks occur in the ground in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow/Allahabad, Jun 18: Uttar Pradesh resorted to scientific study after fissures appear on the ground in seven districts, including Lucknow. Cracks have appeared on the earth in Lucknow, and also in six other districts over the past week. The state's top bureaucrat told reporters that scientific studies were being undertaken to identify the cause of the phenomenon.

"We had a talk with senior scientist, senior deputy director general of Geological Survey of India Dr. Razdan has also came. The officials had done a thorough scientific study on this," said Atul Gupta, chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh. People were alarmed after the fissures led to rumours of the possibility of an imminent earthquake. Cracks have also appeared on the walls of houses, forcing people to abandon them. District officials said they were in touch with the locals to keep a close watch on the situation. "Locals had informed the officials who came and examined it. They are also holding a meeting at the state level. At the moment, the villagers have been told as to how the fissures can progress. They have been asked to study any change in the nature of the fissures," said Chjandra Bhanu, district magistrate, Lucknow.

Elsewhere officials said they were yet to declare the fissure-prone areas as danger zones. "We have informed the district officials. Geologists have been called in to study it. They will study it and decide whether they will declare it as a danger zone," R.D. Ram, sub-divisional magistrate of Meja sub-division in Allahabad district. The state falls in seismic zone 4 and some parts of the state are on the foothills of the Himalayas. Himalayan range and northern plains are highly active seismic zones. Himalayas are in fact the most seismic mountain range in the world.

ANI