A team from Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) today visited Nevati in the neighbouring Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra to investigate mysterious sounds reported by the locals.
"Locals heard big sounds coming from near the beach. They feared tsunami or some natural disaster. But we confirmed there is nothing to worry," NIO Director Dr SWA Naqvi told PTI.
Locals had informed the district administration that explosion-like sounds were heard along the coast on April 7, 10 and 26, which scared the people in the nearby areas.
Sindhudurg collector had requested NIO to send a team to investigate the matter.
"We would like to allay people's fear... There is nothing related to tsunami or any other natural disaster. People should not get panicky," said Dr Rajiv Nigam, Chief Scientist, NIO, speaking to PTI. Nigam and his team visited the beach earlier in the day.
"It looks like minor geographical fault (crack in the Earth's crust) has got activated in the area," he said. "Or it might be due to existence of small gas pockets....It might also be due to eruption of gas. The gas gets accumulated in the mud and when it comes out it makes sound," he said.
However, an NIO team headed by the senior researcher Dr Anilkumar Chaubey would carry out a detailed study in the region with the Maharashtra Government providing logistical support, he said.
'Ground penetration radar survey' and seismic survey would be conducted to see if there is a geographical fault-line in the region, Nigam said.
