Centre sends team of seismologists to study tremors in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 27 (UNI) Kerala Revenue Minister K P Rajendran told the State Assembly today that the Centre had agreed to send a team of seismologists to study frequent earthquakes in the State which had been identieifed as one of the earthquake-prone states in the country.

Responding to reference made by members both from the Treasury and Opposition benches on the frequent tremors occurring in the Talappally taluk of Thrissur district, he assured the House that all possible steps would be taken to allay the fears of the people of the area.

He said a mild tremor measuring 2.6 on the Richter had been reported from the area this morning.

Mr Rajendran said the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) had been asked to install a seismograph at Desamangalam in Thrissur district. Orders had been issued for round-the-clock functioning of the seismic centre at Peechi in the district.

He said the district collector had been asked to assess damage caused to houses in the tremors to provide compensation to the residents. A sum of Rs five lakh had also been sanctioned to the district to meet immediate needs.

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