Jan 4 earthquake: AMUCO presents detail field report � Fissures effuse heat, water levels rise
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 08 2016 : Apart from emitting smoke, a fissure which has now widened to six inches is emitting heat too.

Moreover, water levels of rivers and other water bodies located in and around Noney Bazar and Noney Part I have been rising.

This was detected by a four-member team of AMUCO who visited Noney and Kabui Khullen yesterday, the epicentre of the devastating earthquake of January 4.The AMUCO team interacted with people of Kabui Khullen and nearby villages including village chief Athon Kabui.

At the impact of the earthquake which measured 6.8 on Richter's Scale, many houses collapsed and cracks were created on the local church.

There were also reports about casualties suffered by many villagers.

The AMUCO team also saw cracks on roads, playgrounds and hill tops.

A fissure four inches wide was created by the earthquake near the house of one K Dingangpo at Noney Part-I .

Fissures effuse heat, water levels rise

The fissure which was already emitting smoke has now widened to six inches and it has started effusing heat too.

The villagers expressed keen desire for experts to study all these unusual phenomena, conveyed a statement issued by AMUCO.

Muddy water gushing out from cracks and fissures is smelly and hot.

Moreover, one feels itchy if he/she comes into contact with the muddy water.

In the aftermath of the earthquake, two relief camps have been opened at Noney Bazar.

Organisers of the relief camps told the AMUCO team that the people of Awangkhul, Lalkhong and Pungmol have been still facing untold misery.

The villagers decried that the Government has not been paying enough attention to the earthquake affected people.

Deeply worried about what might follow the devastating earthquake, the villagers have been staying in groups.

The villagers expressed keen desire for Ministers of both the State and Central Governments as well as experts to visit the epicentre and surrounding villages to provide immediate relief items and create awareness about earthquakes and its possible impacts.

The villagers want thorough inspection of the area by experts and ascertain whether it is risky or not for them to live on in their respective villages.

They said that they would go back to their homes if experts think it is safe.

If it is otherwise, they would explore the option of shifting to safer places.

Highlighting the pathetic transport infrastructure of Kabui Khullen and surrounding areas, the villagers urged the Government to build a road which would connect Kabui Khullen Part 2 and Kabui Khullen Part 3 and another road from Kabui Khullen Part 2 to Thengra.

AMUCO also urged the Government to take up all possible immediate relief measures.