Expert group visits Kishtwar for assessment of seismic activities

Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, Oct 5: In the wake of recurrent earthquakes, an expert group headed by Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Professor Talat Ahmed arrived here today to have a detailed on spot assessment of the rock types and other mega structures in the district to find out the exact reasons behind these earthquakes.
The expert group includes Dr. Imtiyaz Pervez from CSIR-CMMCS Banglore, Professor Shakeel Rimsho, HoD Earth Sciences Kashmir University, Dr. Sunil Kumar from SMVDU and Dr. Rakesh Chandra from Kashmir University.
Chairing an interactive session with District Administration, Professor Talat  said that the present data suggest that seismic activities in Kishtwar have origin up to 15 to 20 Km deep from earth surface and hence this presumption seems impossible that these earthquakes were due to Hydro Power Projects as water cannot percolate up to that depth.
He further apprised the meeting that during the two-day visit the team will study rock types and also fix the locations for installing instruments to monitor the seismic activity. GPS studies will also be done to measure even small relative movement of earth plates from the space. He informed that in near future more and more students and scientists will be involved in the project and workshops in schools and colleges will be held.
The other experts also spoke in the session and informed that all the Himalaya being in a seismic active zone, caution has to be taken for minimizing the loss of life and property.  In this regard the coordination between scientists, administration and people of the region is must.
The District Development Commissioner, Kishtwar, Baseer Ahmed Khan asked expert group to share their finding with the administration so that preventive measures are taken effectively. He assured them all help in installation of instruments and their safety.