Major earthquake will hit J

Srinagar, Mar 3 (UNI) Rejecting the rumours that a major earthquake will rock particular areas in the Kashmir valley where four mild tremors were felt since February 20, project coordinator of UNDP disaster management Aamir Ali said it cannot be predicted despite research being done worldwide.

He said tremors have been experienced on February 20 and 25 and two on March one. These tremors were recorded between 2.9 and 4.1 magnitude.

However, some people have started floating rumors that a particular area is going to be hit by a major earthquake on a particular date.

Rejecting these rumours, he said earthquakes cannot be predicted, despite research being done worldwide.

However, Mr Ali admitted that Srinagar falls in Seismic Zone-V and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir in Seismic Zone IV, which means that ''we are vulnerable to earthquakes.'' This, however, does not mean that there is reason to panic, he advised.

Earthquakes have been occurring in Kashmir since times immemorial. Some significant historical major earthquakes were that of 1555 and 1885 which destroyed Sopore. Many more significant earthquakes had been recorded thereafter, Mr Ali said.

However, he said, an earthquake does not cause death or injury by itself. People are usually hurt by falling plaster and collapsing walls or falling of heavy objects.

He said collapsing buildings and vibrations can cause short circuits and electric fires. However, with some precautions it is possible to avoid such confusion.

Mr Ali listed a number of measures which could reduce the chances of getting hurt or killed in the event of earthquake.

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