Kerala MP raises curious case of series of earthquakes in his Idukki constituency

Vibha Sharma
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, March 19

As India battles coronavirus and the issue occupied the centrestage during Zero Hour in Parliament, an interesting issue flagged by a Kerala MP on Wednesday almost went unnoticed.

Kerala MP Dean Kuriakose, who had moved an adjournment motion on the issue, talked about this series of earthquakes in his district which had left people baffled and “fearing for life”.

“The phenomenon should be investigated by the Indian Meteorological Department to ascertain the reason,” said Kuriakose.

According to Kuriakose, several earthquakes have hit his constituency, Idukki, in a row.

The first earthquake occurred on February 27. It was followed by five more in a span of six days.

The recent one occurred on March 13 at Nedumkandam, where the tremors were felt eight times between 7.10 am and 1.58 pm.

“The intensity of the earthquake measured 2.8 on the Richter scale at 9.46 am,” said Kuriakose, adding that the earthquakes had left people in his constituency fearing for their lives.

“The epicenter of the recent tremor was at Kurathimala which is the connecting point to Iduklti Arch Dam”.

“At present, there seems to be no viable threat to the integrity of the dam. However, the safety of the dam could be called into question if the earthquakes were to become a frequent occurrence. Hence, it is significant to take necessary precautions, considering the strategic importance of the location and safety of the dam,” said Kuriakose.

Kuriakose had given a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house for discussing a “definite matter of urgent importance”.