BELAGAVI/VIJAYAPURA: A fresh round of tremors has once again sent waves of panic across Vijayapura district, where residents have been experiencing recurring earthquakes for the last two months. The latest series of quakes struck on Wednesday, barely a week after similar jolts during Diwali celebrations scaring already anxious villagers.
Most of the tremors recorded in Vijayapura range between 2.3 and 2.9 magnitude on the Richter scale.
While scientifically classified as minor, the repeated shocks have unsettled the local population, with many recalling the devastating quakes that shook parts of the district in previous years.
On Diwali eve, strong tremors were felt in Basavan Bagewadi and Vijayapura taluks, particularly in Managuli, Hattarkihal, Nandyal, and Yaranal villages. Residents reported a loud rumbling sound just before the vibrations rippled through their homes, prompting people to rush outdoors. One tremor, measured at 2.9, struck around 9.21 pm, with another wave recorded late into the night on the outskirts of Vijayapura city.
In just the last two months, the district has experienced 11 such tremors — one at 11.41 pm on Tuesday and 5.30 am on Wednesday. CCTV footage from several homes captured walls shaking and dogs barking frantically, seconds before the ground started to shake. Social media platforms have been flooded with videos and posts from residents. Wednesday’s tremor reportedly reached 3.0 magnitude.
Experts trace quakes to subsoil reactions
Experts believe these tremors are not tectonic, but rather the result of chemical reactions deep beneath the surface. The region’s subsoil, rich in limestone rock layers, absorbs rainwater during monsoon months. The interaction between water and limestone is said to trigger chemical reactions, producing loud underground rumbles and mild surface vibrations.
The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) stated that the epicentre of the December 22 quake of 2.9 magnitude was identified near Hattarkihal village.
“As per the seismic intensity map, the tremor’s intensity was low and could be felt up to 50-60 km from the epicentre. Such quakes do not pose any harm to people,” KSNDMC clarified. The agency added that Vijayapura falls under Seismic Zone III, an area generally considered stable and free from major structural faults.
Government urges calm
The state government urged the public to remain calm,assuring them that the tremors are minor and shallow, with no major risk to life or property. Industries Minister MB Patil said that authorities are closely monitoring the seismic activity.
“There is no cause for panic. The tremors recorded in recent weeks are minor and not dangerous,” he said.
It can be recalled that experts from the National Centre for Seismology, National Geophysical Research Institute, National Institute of Rock Mechanics, Geological Survey of India and KSNDMC visited Vijayapura in 2021 after a similar series of quakes.
Seismometers have now been reinstalled across affected areas to monitor ground activity more precisely.
Yet, with tremors continuing to strike at irregular intervals, fear and uncertainty remain deeply rooted among Vijayapura’s residents, who are again sleeping under open skies, dreading the next quake.
