District Correspondent and Mild tremors were felt in Aheri sub-division of Gadchiroli district and areas bordering Telangana on Wednesday late night. The tremors were felt 238 kms away from Nagpur. Tremors were recorded in Allapalli, Sironcha, and Aheri between 11.51 pm and 11.59 pm, causing brief panic among residents. According to information, the earthquake measured 3.9 on the Richter scale. Its epicentre was located approximately 35 kilometres from Ramagundam in Mancherial district, Telangana. The depth of the quake was 10 km from the surface. No casualties or damage to property have been reported. People ran out of their homes and took shelter in safe locations as a precaution. It may be mentioned that this was the fifth earthquake in the region in the last five years.

 

The frequent occurrence of such seismic activity is causing growing concern among residents. Last year, a relatively large earthquake of magnitude 5.3 was recorded in the Mulugu region of Telangana, the impact of which was felt in areas of Gadchiroli as well. According to experts, Gadchiroli district is in an earthquake-prone zone due to its geological structure and coal mining activities. The region is a part of the Godavari Basin and is considered to be in Earthquake Zone 3. There have been concerns about changes in geological pressure due to ongoing coal mining activities and large irrigation projects. Frequent tremors are occurring supposedly due to geological impacts of Medigadda Dam near Sironcha bordering Telengana. Experts believe that excessive water pressure in large reservoirs can also influence seismic activity. In the past five years, tremors have also been recorded in areas like Umanur, Jafrabad, and Mahagaon in the southern part of Gadchiroli.

 

The earthquake’s epicentre has shifted towards Telangana and its magnitude has reached 3.9, leading to fears of larger tremors in future. Administration has been alerted following these midnight tremors. The departments concerned are monitoring the situation and disaster management team has been instructed to stay prepared. While no major damage has been reported this time, local administration has appealed citizens to remain alert and not to pay attention to any rumours.