A ZP school building in Sindgi village in Kalamnuri taluka of Hingoli district has developed cracks
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Hingoli district recorded two earthquakes — of magnitudes 3.3 and 4.5 — within two hours on Saturday, leaving cracks in a ZP school building and dislodging plaster from a wall-ceiling junction. They were on the playground for a weekly activity when the stronger quake struck at 9.43am. The first quake, measuring 3.3 in magnitude, struck at 7.46am near Gadhala in Aundha Nagnath taluka. Barely two hours later, a stronger 4.5-magnitude quake was recorded at 9.43am. Hingoli has recorded 16 earthquakes in less than a year, emerging as one of Marathwada’s most seismically active areas. Seismic activity has increased almost 10-fold since April, district collector Rahul Gupta said. On July 9 alone, the district was rocked by four back-to-back quakes measuring 4.6, 3.6, 3.9 and 4.1. More than 100 houses were damaged then.
“Material from the wall-ceiling junction fell off due to the quake. Nobody was injured, and the damage has been reported to higher authorities,” school authorities told local media. No casualties or damage to other properties were reported till Saturday evening, the district administration said. Stay updated with the latest Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar news.
It includes structural audit of all public buildings, including schools and govt establishments, preparation of a scientific disaster management action plan, setting up public announcement systems and promotion of earthquake-resistant housing techniques,” Gupta said. Students of the ZP school at Sindgi village in Kalamnuri taluka escaped unhurt. A few long cracks also developed. People in the area also heard an underground rumbling sound. Its epicentre was at Pangra Shinde in Basmath taluka. Tremors were felt across Hingoli and in neighbouring Nanded, Parbhani and Washim districts. The twin tremors are the latest in a series to hit the region. The recurring tremors have prompted the administration to step up preparedness. “In the wake of a series of earthquakes in the recent past, we have already ordered a set of measures. “There was no casualty or financial loss. We are monitoring the situation and have alerted all tehsils. People should remain calm and not spread rumours,” he added. Officials have asked residents to move to open spaces if aftershocks occur and follow prescribed safety measures. Download the TOI App.