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Buttala, Wellawaya shaken by tremors; geologists sent to the area
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A crack on the wall after the tremors
By Nadia Fazlulhaq
Three earth tremors measuring 3.0, 3.5 and 2.3 magnitude on the Richter scale were recorded in Buttala and Wellawaya areas on Friday and yesterday, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) said.
Residents of Buttala and Wellawaya were taken by surprise last evening after two earth tremors were felt with windows shattering in some houses.
GSMB Director General Ajith Prema said seismic stations in Buttala, Hakmana, Pallekelle and Buddhangala have recorded these earth tremors at 12.11 pm and 12.14 pm on Friday and 3.48 am yesterday.
“These are mild tremors and damages to the property are very minimal. Wall cracks and house damage can occur if the foundation is poor. There is a possibility of a few more tremors. These are naturally triggered earth tremors as there are no large reservoirs in the area to cause tremors,” Mr. Prema said.
The GSMB has informed the Disaster Management Centre and is monitoring the situation.
A team consisting of geologists has been dispatched to the area to study more on whether this is a local event or connected to global earthquakes. “This area is in the local tectonic boundary. So slight changes can cause tremors,” he said.
All employees at Buttala district secretariat and buildings around were evacuated soon after the Friday afternoon tremors. The crest gem of the Buttala Unaawatuna temple had fallen as a result of the tremors. Wall cracks were also reported in several houses in the Buttala area.
(Additional reporting and
pic by Nayanajeewa Bandara from Buttala)
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