Nanded experiences tremors, people evacuated

Nanded (Maharashtra), Apr 1: At least 970 families of the policemen were being evacuated to safer places following three tremors of mild intensity felt in various parts of the city and its surrounding areas.

The city felt at least three tremors of slight intensity since yesterday morning, the official sources said.

The tremors were recorded at 1256 hrs and 1431 hrs yesterday. The intensity of these shocks was 1.3 and 1.8 magnitude respectively on the Richter scale, while the third tremor was felt at 2057 hrs measuring 2.8 magnitude on the Richter scale, D K Kulkarni, in-charge of the Seismological Centre at Latur told UNI by telephone.

Srinagar colony and ITI locality were the worst affected areas, with cracks developing on the house walls, the sources said.

The authorities have decided to shift at least 970 families residing in the police colony, which is close to the Srinagar colony, to the temporary shelter being created on the nearby open ground, the sources said.

Frightened residents came out of their houses in various localities of the city. Though the police and other authorities have appealed to the people not to worry over the tremors and assured that the administration has been taking every preventive step to avoid any damage.

Maharashtra Industry Minister Ashok Chavan, who is also the Guardian Minister of the district, had chaired an emergency meeting convened by the District Collector Radhyesham Mopalwar, in which Mr Chavan directed the authorities to gear up and co-ordinate to avoid any possible damage by the tremors, which had been felt on more than ten times during the day, but were recorded on the Richter scale only thrice.

Meanwhile, the Guardian Minister has also made an appeal to the people of the city and its surrounding areas that they should not be panicky of the situation.

UNI