[1]The Idukki district experienced a series of mild tremors with a magnitude of 2.7 on the Richter scale in the early hours of Saturday, heightening the anxiety about the safety of the 116-year-old Mullaperiyar dam.
Tamil Nadu has deputed a team from the Pune-based Central Water Power Research Station to the dam to verify its safety aspects. The Tamil Nadu government has recently sanctioned Rs 1.4 crore for the study.
The tremors were felt at Vallakadavu, about 10 km from the Mullaperiyar dam, as well as Upputhara, Moolamattom, Valakode, Chapath and Vandiperiyar.
Tremors were also reported from Erattupettah area in Kottayam district. Officials said that many as four tremors were reported in these areas between 3.15 am and 5.44 am.
The Chief Minister Mr Oommen Chandy told mediapersons that the tremors had increased the safety concerns about the dam.
“We cannot wait till the contract with Tamil Nadu gets over. It is important that a new dam be built at Mullaperiyar as soon as possible.”
The epicentre of the earthquake was Kannamppaddy in Upputhara about 30 km from Mullaperiyar dam.
There were no reports of casualties or property loss. Idukki district alone had recorded as many as 21 mild quakes since January this year. This is the second time that tremors were felt in the area this month.
On November 18, two mild tremors measuring 2.8 and 3.2 on the Richter scale occurred in parts of Idukki and Kottayam districts.
Experts of the Centre for Earth Sciences (CESS) have said that there was a possibility of an earthquake of higher intensity occuring in the area during the next few days.
A team of experts from CESS is expected to reach Mullaperiyar soon to study the effect of the latest tremors.
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