LOW INTENSITY EARTHQUAKE NEAR MULLAPERIYAR DAM

LOW INTENSITY EARTHQUAKE NEAR MULLAPERIYAR DAM

A low intensity earthquake was experienced near the Mullapeiryar dam near Kattapana The tremor that registered 2 on the Richter Scale was experienced at Upputhara, Valakodu and Kuvalettam areas in the Uppothodu panchayat at 7.27 p.m. Tuesday,23^rd August,2011. The KSEB said that the epicentre of the quake was Valkodu and that more tremors can be expected. Since it was a low intensity quake many of the local people did not know about it initially. On 26th July many parts of Idukki district experienced 12 tremors. Upputhara and Valakodu recorded quakes which were measured at 3.8 on the Richter scale. 

In the last round of quakes cracks were developed on the surface of the Mullaperiyar dam. The water resources department authorities have said they can say how the latest quake affected the dam only after checking.

                                                             Prof. John Kurakar