Thiruvananthapuram: The fracture in the ground reported from an area near the Neyyar dam is the result of soil dislocation, a localised phenomenon that poses no danger to the dam, scientists from the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS) reported on Monday.
T. Radhakrishna, Director, CESS, and G. Sankar, scientist, came to the conclusion after visiting the site to study the fracture that had led to concern among the local people. The district administration had shifted two families from the area on Sunday after the crack in the soil started extending.
Rotational slide
Mr. Sankar said the fracture was the result of a rotational slide, a small dislocation confined to the top layer of the soil. “The area between the river and the left bank canal where the fissure had developed is an unstable chunk characterised by reworked soil. Different layers had been added to raise the level of earth here. The heavy rain over the past few days saturated the soil layers, leading to a small dislocation. The cracks seen on the walls of the houses were also caused by the same phenomenon,” he said.
Ruling out the chance of a tremor in the region, the scientists said they had verified seismic data to confirm the fact.
“The small area between the river and the canal is unstable and is prone to another dislocation, especially during rain. There is a possibility that the whole chunk will slip and fall into the river. The residents of these houses are at risk during rain,” Mr. Sankar said.
The scientists said they would submit their report to the Additional District Magistrate on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran visited the area. He had a telephone conversation with the scientists on their analysis.
Source: The Hindu, 30-11-2010
T. Radhakrishna, Director, CESS, and G. Sankar, scientist, came to the conclusion after visiting the site to study the fracture that had led to concern among the local people. The district administration had shifted two families from the area on Sunday after the crack in the soil started extending.
Rotational slide
Mr. Sankar said the fracture was the result of a rotational slide, a small dislocation confined to the top layer of the soil. “The area between the river and the left bank canal where the fissure had developed is an unstable chunk characterised by reworked soil. Different layers had been added to raise the level of earth here. The heavy rain over the past few days saturated the soil layers, leading to a small dislocation. The cracks seen on the walls of the houses were also caused by the same phenomenon,” he said.
Ruling out the chance of a tremor in the region, the scientists said they had verified seismic data to confirm the fact.
“The small area between the river and the canal is unstable and is prone to another dislocation, especially during rain. There is a possibility that the whole chunk will slip and fall into the river. The residents of these houses are at risk during rain,” Mr. Sankar said.
The scientists said they would submit their report to the Additional District Magistrate on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day, Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran visited the area. He had a telephone conversation with the scientists on their analysis.
Source: The Hindu, 30-11-2010
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