Dehradun: For Uttarakhand, which has been reeling under the devastation caused by the June 16 floods and subsequent incessant rains, there is more bad news. If the National Geological Research Institute (NGRI) is to be believed, this small mountain state is sensitively poised for an earthquake of high magnitude on the Richter scale.
According to reports from the Hyderabad-based latest seismic imaging of both the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of this small mountain state have revealed that that there is high activity going on under the earth in the region and there is also collection of a lot of energy, which could have serious ramifications in the times to come.
The study says that quite a large portion of the Indian Himalayas are prone to an earthquake of high magnitude on the Richter scale, but the recent seismic images that have been taken shown that the energy that is collecting is more in the Chamoli region of Uttarakhand. It said that perhaps this is why the Uttarkashi and Chamoli regions were hit by a severe earthquake in 1991.
It was claimed that the manner in which the energy was collecting under the earth near Chamoli region of Uttarakhand, there was all the reason to presume that it will also try to find a way to get out from under the earth. Should and e3hen this happens it could mean an earthquake of seven to eight on the Richter scale.
The study claims that there could be either one severe earthquake of that magnitude or smaller shocks of the same magnitude but in a chain action, which means that there could be as many as 20 to 30 smaller shocks of the same magnitude. The repercussions of such a shock could be felt over a wide area in the immediate surroundings.
A journalist with over 40 years of experience, Jagdish Bhatt was Editor, Hill Post (Uttarakhand).
Jagdish had worked with India’s leading English dailies, which include Times of India, Indian Express, Pioneer and several other reputed publications. A highly acclaimed journalist, he was a recipient of many awards
Jagdish Bhatt, aged 72, breathed his last on 28th August 2021 at his Dehradun residence.
