Three tremors recorded in Gujarat

Three tremors recorded in Gujarat
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

AHMEDABAD, FEB 22: Three tremors, including one measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale, were felt in several parts of Gujarat on Thursday morning.

The 4.6 magnitude tremor at 7.43 am was followed by another shock measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale at 9.19 am. The shocks were preceded by a 3.0 low intensity tremor, recorded in the wee hours, the meteorological department sources here said.

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The epicentre of the tremors continued to be in the vicinity of Bachau taluka in the quake-ravaged Kutch district, they said.

There was no report of any damage or casualty in the fresh tremors.

The state which experienced two moderate intensitytremors of 5.1 magnitude on Monday, recorded 10 mild shocks during Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Delhi High Court today directed the Centre to constitute a committee to suggest pre and post earthquake remedial measures, including making buildings tremor proof, to prevent Gujarat-like destruction in future.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Arijit Passayat and Justice D K Jain said the committee shall issue a public notice to seek suggestions from experts and any person having knowledge on subjects related to seismology and building safety before formulating its opinion.

The notice issued by the committee should also be sent to chief secretaries of all the states to seek information and suggestions from the state governments.

Directing the Centre to submit a report on the compliance of its order by April 18, the court said in the wake of the Gujarat earthquake, houses without tremor safety measures had become a problem of national dimension.

"The earthquake in Gujarat and other parts of the country has made it clear that preventive measures are urgently needed and the committee after receiving suggestions shall recommend pre and post remedial measures to deal with the earthquakes," said the Bench, hearing a pending Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking to enforce tremor safety measures in buildings in the capital.

The court said the Gujarat earthquake had proved that the problem of sub-standard constructions was not confined only to Delhi, but had become a national problem.