HYDERABAD: Weeks after Borabanda was rocked by multiple tremors, six seismic stations setup by the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) in the area have recorded a whopping 118 mico-earthquakes between October 21 and November 3. It’s to be noted that the NGRI was commissioned to study the geophysical activity in the area only after a week-long period of tremors. “About 118 micro-earthquakes have been recorded in total. However, the activity has drastically reduced in the last five days,” assured Srinagesh Davuluri, Chief Scientist, Head of the NGRI Seismology Observatory. He added that people did not feel a large number of these micro-earthquakes as they were less than 0.0 in magnitude.
“The additional micro-earthquakes recorded after installation of seismic stations are mostly those which could not be felt. They are common and the frequency of occurrence and magnitude have both reduced now,” he said. Between October 22 and November 3, the additional seismic stations were installed to locate the epicenter of tremors. Subsequently, thee NGRI recorded that the earthquakes were concentrated between Allapur and Habeeb Fathima Nagar. “The direction is along the North West-South East direction indicating fractures in the orientation,” said Srinagesh.
The residents of Borabanda and Habeeb Fathima Nagar say that the activity has reduced and many have come out of the fear. “That night was fearful, we all were afraid as to what it was. But, now we have come to terms with it as we consider it normal,” said Sai Ram, a resident of Baba Sai Nagar. However, the residents need to construct their houses in a much more planned manner, cautions Srinagesh.
“People have literally constructed their homes on boulders. It is nothing but poor urban planning. People need to consider investing more in engineering of the building rather than decorating it,” he said, adding that the phenomenon is likely to continue for a few more weeks.