Manipur on alert for major quakes
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 05, 2011:
Manipur State disaster management authorities have been keeping themselves on alert for major earthquakes as Manipur lies in the high mangitude seismic zone (Zone V).
Although last night's tremor did not cause any major damage in the State, the earthquake occured at a time when the disaster management authorities have stepped up with different programmes.
Incidentally, the incident occured a few hours after the closing ceremony of a five-day 'search and rescue' programme cum awareness camp on disaster management held at Kongba Uchekon.
Experts said the entire State lies in high magnitude seismic zone (Zone V) and hence earthquake of 8 in magnitude might trigger.
Last night's quake with its epicenter located in Indo-Myanmar border close to Manipur damaged some window panes in the office building of Manipur secretariat and some electric poles in Chandel district.
Official sources said owing to the quake functioning of the power generator of Loktak hydro project remained switch off for about half an hour and power supply stopped as the 132 KV line extending from Dimapur to Imphal became overload.
Commissioner of Relief and Disaster Management Suhel Akhtar said the Government, besides taking up certain measures under the guidance of the Central authorities, has already constituted State level, district level and block level disaster management committees.
At various levels, the committees have taken up all necessary measures to ensure the public are fully aware of the nature's fury and the safety measures to be taken up during earthquakes and other disasters.
While the State level committee is headed by the Chief Minister, the Deputy Commissioner and Block Development officer are the Chairmen of the district and block level committees, he said.
The Government-run disaster management institute has conducted several workshops, training camps and awareness porgrammes on the subject matter for government officials, local bodies member and the general public in phase manner.
Now the programmes are being concentrated in the hill districts, the senior officer said adding that certain vital information on the matter like 'Dos and Don'ts are also highlighted to the public through media.