Mild tremor in Idukki and Kottayam districts of Kerala occurred again on Saturday intensifying concern over the safety of the 116-year old Mullaperiyar dam. The tremor that occurred around 30 km radius was of the magnitude of 2 on the Richter scale. This was the 28th such tremor since March in the region with the highest being 3.8.
The tremor was experienced in Upputhara, Valakode, Cheruthoni and Kulamave and the power house area of Moolamattam in Idukki district and places like Vellikulam, Theekkoi, Poonjar, Adivaram,Melukavu and Thalanadu in Kottayam district.
The issue had created tense situation on the border area of Idukki district for the last one week. A section of the agitators from Tamil Nadu had damaged houses in Kumili area of Idukki. Traffic through the Kumili – Kambam road has been stalled for the last few days and Kerala is now experiencing shortage for vegetables. The Kerala police has deployed more troops in the area to bring the situation under control.
Sesmology experts said mild tremors might repeat in the area as there was shifting of plates around 5-10 km under the earth. An earthquake of 5-6 on the Richter scale may collapse the dam which might hit Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts and may even cause a wash out of districts like Idukki, Kottayam and Ernakulam.
