Saturday, August 29, 2009

Experts predict disastrous earthquake in Assam

A
big intensity earthquake is hitting this Northeastern region shortly. An environmental scientist found in his study that a big intensity tremor is due for the region. Although there is no accurate method for predicting earthquakes, an environmental scientist claims that a big intensity tremor is likely to hit Northeaster region soon. After three decade long study on quakes in Northeast, Dr Surya Kanta Sharma a big earthquake should occur in this region within 2010. Notably, two medium intensity earthquakes shook the region in this month. The first was occurred on August 11 with 5.6 Richter scale, while the second was on August 19 with 4.9 Richter scale. A Chennai based geo-physician N Venkatanathan had also predicted an tremor in Northeast after study on plannery configurations in December 12 last. However, His prediction had turned false. This time Dr Sharma said a big intensity quake is due in this region. But how far the government and other disaster management agencies are well equipped to deal with the situation? Assam lines on Zone five. The region has witnessed many big earthquakes since pre-historic period. According to Dr Sharma’s report, Assam reported its first big quake in 1548. The next big quake was reported in between 1696 and 1714 during the regime of Ahom Swardeo Gadadhar Singha. After this there was no record os big quake till 1869. After first ever big quake of 19th century jolted the region in January 10 1869. The epicenter was somewhere in Cachar and the magnitude of the quake was 7.5 Richter scale. It caused serious damage in the region. The next big quake was taken place in June 12 1897. The epicenter was Rangjoli and the magnitude was 8.0 Richter scale. This was one of the most powerful earthquakes in south East Asian region. The quake wreaked havoc across a wide swathe of the present states of Assam and Meghalaya. Altogether 1,500 people had lost lives and hundreds more hurt in this quake. Another big intensity quake was reported in Dhubri in 1930. This had caused severe damages in Dhubri region. There was another quake reported in this region on October 23 1943. This had caused major damages in Nagaon district. The intensity of the quake was 7.2 in Richter scale. Assam had reported heavy loss and damaged in the earthquake took place on August 15 1950. The epicenter was somewhere in Sino- Indian border and the intensity was 8.6 in Richter scale. This earthquake was the 6th largest earthquake of the 20th century. Altogether 1,500 people were killed and the drainage of the region was greatly affected. The resultant floods were the cause of most of the fatalities blamed on this earthquake. The initial shock was followed by thousands of aftershocks, some of which were big earthquakes in their own rights. The state had also witnessed another big intensity quake in 1988. Assam will witness more loss of lives and property at its present stage if a quake jolts the region as predicted by Dr Sharma. Builders in the city are taking all precautions while constructing buildings as Assam falls under earthquake prone zone. The major worry among the scientists is that Assam is seated on the highly volatile seismic zone five. Among all the earthquakes that Assam has experienced, the earthquakes of 1897 and 1950 are among the ten biggest earthquakes in history. Study reveals Assam records major a earthquake every fifty years, the last being in 1950.

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