Tremor with a magnitude of 2.0 rocks Lunugala

COLOMBO (News1st): A tremor with a magnitude of 2.0 on the Richter scale had been experienced in Lunugala on Sunday, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau has said. "We heard a loud noise. The bed on which I was sleeping shook due to the tremor," a villager noted. On January month, a tremor with a magnitude of 1.8 had been recorded near the Walapane area. Since August 29 last year several tremors have occurred across areas located in the vicinity of the Victoria Dam. The tremor on August 29 had been recorded with a magnitude of 3.5 while the preceding tremors on the September 2 and 11 were of a magnitude below 2.0 But the tremor that had been experienced on November 18 had been recorded with a magnitude ranging between 2.5 and 3.5. The fifth tremor on November 29 had been recorded at a magnitude of 1.5 on the Richter Scale. Against such a backdrop, four tremors had been recorded on December 5 in the same area with a magnitude less than 1.0 or 2.0 An expert committee appointed to investigate the tremors had revealed that limestone quarrying and blasting had been rampant along the left bank of the Mahaweli river. The report pointed out that mining has been taking place in the vicinity of the Victoria dam. The recommendations of the report are as follows;

1. Conduct a continuous monitoring process on a long term basis
2. Educating the public based on changes in seismic data in the area
3. Run a temporary high-sensitive network covering these areas
4. Carry out quarrying under a strict time-window based on a pre-agreed schedule
5. Conduct a study into quarrying and blasting activities that have occurred in the area and on the left bank of the Mahaweli river
6. Maintain four seismic stations at fully functional levels

Since the first tremor was recorded last year, News1st has continued to report on the conditions that may have paved the way these tremors. We will continue to report on these matters as the lives of the people must be protected in any worse circumstances.