Scientists to investigate recent sequential tremors in Prakasam district

Tremors of 3.1 on the Richter scale had created panic among locals in Mundlamuru, Singanapalem, Sankarapuram, and Marella villages. Students rushed out of their schools, employees vacated government offices, and residents witnessed their belongings shaking in their homes.With the quakes causing anxiety within the public, ministers Gottipati Ravi Kumar and Dola Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy asked the Prakasam district collector to probe the cause of tremors in consultation with the Disaster Management department and NGRI scientists.There is speculation that the tectonic fault in the Gundlakamma River may be linked to these tremors, as similar instances had been recorded in Nellore district near the Prakasam border in January 2016.At that time, chief scientist Dr. Srinagesh Davuluri from NGRI had clarified that tremors in Nellore had been micro-earthquakes whose depths had been 4–5 km and magnitudes ranged from 1.7 to 2.7. The chief scientist had maintained that the Gundlakamma fault had no influence on these tremors.There are seismographs installed in villages like Vinjamuru and Varikuntapadu in Nellore district, apart from Srikalahasti in Chittoor district and Addanki in Prakasam district to monitor seismic activity.Following the latest disturbances, the NGRI team plans to collect fresh data, interact with locals in Prakasam district. If necessary, the institute will install additional seismographs in Mundlamuru and Tallur areas to analyse the ground motion.Prakasam district administration is getting ready to conduct awareness sessions in affected villages to educate residents about the mild tremors being a common occurrence due to tectonic adjustments.