Pulichintala hit by 965 microquakes

HYDERABAD: Pulichintala area on the banks of river Krishna that divides Andhra Pradesh and Telangana has been witnessing hectic seismic activity.
At least 965 microearthquakes have been recorded on the Richter scale since January 26 after a 4.6 magnitude quake struck the region on that day. Both Suryapet district in Telangana and Guntur in AP have been witnessing tremors since then.
A microearthquake (or microquake) is a very low intensity earthquake which is 2.0 or less in magnitude. The epicentre of the microquakes is 5 km downstream of Pulichintala dam on Telangana side.
NGRI chief seismologist D Srinagesh said there are all tiny quakes. “The biggest was on January 26 with 4.6 magnitude. In the last four months, the area witnessed 965 microearthquakes,” he told TOI. The 4.6 magnitude earthquake in Suryapet was felt in parts of Hyderabad too. Aftershocks were reported till evening on that day and a surveillance camera at Pulichintala dam had recorded the quake.
On June 30, 1969, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3 was reported in Telugu states. Since then, Pulichintala was the second biggest in magnitude.
Meanwhile, in Ongole, a microquake of 2.3 magnitude was recorded by the NGRI. Srinagesh said an earthquake of a magnitude of 2.6 on Richter scale occurred at Gudimellapadu near Ongole at around 10.18 am. “There was no impact,” he added.
A local in Gaddalakunta in Ongole said, “We heard a big noise and the earth started shaking. We came out and within a minute, it subsided.”
The NGRI chief seismologist said there are all tiny quakes. Both Suryapet district in Telangana and Guntur in AP have been witnessing tremors since January 26