AP floods may lead to quakes -- Scientist

AP floods may lead to quakes -- Scientist
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

KANPUR, AUG 26: The heavy rains and floods in Andhra Pradesh may cause earthquakes, Professor and Head of the Department of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Kanpur), Ramesh P Singh said here today.

With the heavy rainfall and floods in Andhra Pradesh, the water is likely to percolate in the Earth through fracture zones, commonly found in the shield areas, leading to increase in the pore pressure which may cause earthquakes, he said.

One of the probable reasons for the occurance of earthquakes is injection of water in the Earth or its withdrawal from there which increases or reduces the subsurface pressure, Singh said.

He also appealed the government agencies, academic institutions and scientists involved in earthquake-related studies to monitor Andhra Pradesh and surrounding areas which are prone to earthquakes due to flooding.

He said the studies may help in saving lives and property from any big disaster.