THRISSUR: A series of tremors in a span of over five hours on Thursday afternoon drove panic-stricken people out of their homes and offices. Vibrations as a result of five quakes measuring 2.1 to 3.2 on the Richter scale were felt. The first major quake was reported at 3.03 pm and the second one at 4.01 pm measuring 3.2 on the scale, said Sreekumari, scientist at the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS).Following this, another quake measuring 2.6 was felt at 4.56 pm. Two mild tremors measuring 2 and 2.1 on the Richter scale were also recorded in the seismometer at 1 pm and 1.15 pm, respectively, she said. It was a minor one and hence people didn’t experience it, but the quakes measuring 3.2 lasted for a few seconds, she added.According to the preliminary reports, the epicentre of the earthquake was located 3 km northwest of Thanikudam in Thrissur taluk. Residents said the tremors were felt at 3.03 pm for a few seconds at Paravattani, Athani, Vadakkancherry, Kuttumukku and Peringavu areas. Some buildings shook mildly and windows rattled. A few buildings developed cracks. However, no major damage has been reported.“The shaking and trembling, accompanied by a boom, lasted for a few seconds. The power supply was disrupted for a while,” a resident of Kuttumukku said. People ran out of their houses at many places. Mild tremors were also felt in various parts of the Thrissur and Thalappilly taluks. The epicentre of the earthquakes reported in the past was also in the Thalappilly taluk.District Collector P M Francis said that measures were being taken to face any emergency. The district administration has deputed the CESS to monitor the seismic activity in the area. A round-the-clock control room was set up at the Collectorate on Wednesday following fears that the earthquake that shook Indonesia may trigger a tsunami along the coastal areas.
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