Fear grips Doda and Kistwar districts after 5.4 magnitude moderate earthquake hits the region

 

Amir Tantray

Doda, June 13: As a moderate earthquake measuring 5.4 on Richter scale hit Doda district today, it has led to panic among people more than it has caused damage to the property.

 

People fear aftershocks may occur as they have seen it in 2013 when a 5.8 magnitude earthquake had led to over 100 aftershocks for over a month.

 

The earthquake became talk of the town and everybody in the twin districts of Doda and Kishtwar was talking about the jolt which has brought back the memories of 2013. Once the earthquake shook the region, people rushed towards educational institutions to know the safety of their children as all the schools in Doda and Kishtwar districts were open.

 

The epicentre of today earthquake was near Patnazi area in Gundoh-Bhalessa region of Doda district which has led to damage to sub-district hospital Gundoh and Sub-district hospital Bhaderwah. Many residential houses in Gundoh and Bhaderwah have also suffered damage and assessment for the same is also underway.

 

“We are compiling the details of damage and deputy commissioner Doda Vishesh Paul Mahajan has been monitoring the same. There were reports of minor damage in many areas but there was no major damage to any area in the district,” claimed Assistant Commissioner Revenue Doda.

 

Apart from damage in Gundoh and Bhaderwah, newly constructed Government Medical College (GMC) Doda buildings at Ghat village also witnessed minor damage to false ceiling, washrooms and few walls. The boys hostel of GMC has witnessed some damage and inmates were in panic.

 

On May 1, 2013 a 5.8 magnitude earthquake had hit Doda district which led to huge panic among people. When aftershocks continued for month, people bought new tents and were sleeping in open sky for a long time out of fear. Last year also minor earthquakes were occurring in Doda district and the epicentre was changing which kept the people in tenterhooks as well.

 

Geological experts also believe that entire Chenab valley is falling in highest seismic zone and a major earthquake is pending for over a century now in Jammu and Kashmir. But they also believe that these minor and moderate earthquakes release pressure and threat of major earthquake decreases.

 

“Though it is a fact that we are in highest seismic zone but such moderate earthquakes release pressure and thing can settle down. Apart from that there are always chances of aftershocks so that rocks which breakdown during the earthquakes can settle,” said Mateen Hafiz, a geologist.

 

He said that there is no time period when will these aftershocks occur. “These can occur anytime after the first jolt but these could be a low intensity as compared to the first one,” he added.