Tremors Deepen Panic in Wayanad Post-Landslide

Thiruvananthapuram: The residents of Wayanad, already grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophic landslide that took nearly 400 lives, were further alarmed on Friday by tremors in the district. The initial tremor was reported around 10 am from Nenmeni village. Upon receiving the news, revenue officials quickly arrived at the scene, prompting locals to flee their homes in a state of panic.

The immense devastation from the July 30 landslide remains vivid in the minds of the locals, instilling fear. Tremors were felt in Padiparambu, Ambukutty, and Ambalavayal within Nenmeni village. "We heard an enormous sound. At first, we assumed it was a thunderbolt. However, when the earth trembled with a loud noise, we were terrified and fled our homes," recounted a villager.

“We were working in the field when heard a loud noise. We left the workplace and assembled on the road out of fear,” said a woman plantation worker.

Tremors were felt across Vythiri, Pozhuthana, Vengapally, Nenmeni, and Ambalavayal panchayats in Wayanad. Specifically, three panchayats in Vythiri taluk and two in Bathery taluk experienced these tremors. The National Centre for Seismology officials have confirmed that there was no earthquake in Wayanad and advised against panic. The tremors may have been due to the movement of the earth's layers.

"Typically, such events follow a landslide, which also produces significant noise. However, none of the seismometers in Kerala have detected any tremors in the state or Wayanad," an official stated.

In a subsequent press release, the National Seismology Centre confirmed that no earthquakes had occurred in Kerala. Officials explained that the tremors reported in Wayanad's other districts resulted from earth layer movements following a landslide. No tremors were detected by any seismometer installed in Kerala. The officials have stated that the area is under constant surveillance around the clock.

A team from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has carried out inspections in the landslide-prone regions of Wayanad, including the Cane Hill area. The geology experts have not dismissed the possibility of soil piping, a phenomenon that creates large, air-filled cavities beneath the surface, often linked with landslides.

Locals reported experiencing loud noises and slight tremors underground in the Wayanad and Kozhikode districts. Comparable sounds were also heard in the Malappuram and Palakkad districts.

It has been verified that the tremors experienced in Wayanad were not earthquakes. The National Seismological Centre reported that no tremors were detected on their seismometers. Experts suggest that it might still be a tremor and investigations are ongoing in the affected areas. Officials from both the Geology and Revenue departments have arrived at the scene. Similar incidents reported in Koodaranji, Kozhikode, have also been confirmed not to be earthquakes, as no seismic activity was registered on the seismometers. Authorities indicate that tremors may have occurred there as well.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has stated that currently, there are no indications of an earthquake originating from Wayanad, and the situation is under investigation. According to officials, preliminary inspections have not revealed any signs of seismic activity.