TEAM HERALD
CANACONA/MARGAO: Panic gripped residents of Canacona,after several parts in the taluka and surrounding areas witnessed mild tremors on Sunday afternoon.
According to sources in Meteorological Department, an earthquake measuring 2 on the Richter Scale and it was felt from Betul in Salcete, Khola, Agonda, Palolem, Poinguinim to Loliem coastal areas, besides Barcem-Padi (Quepem), Gulem hillock, etc.
Panic stricken residents inhabiting the coastline, especially the stretch between Cananguinim, Betul and Mobor rushed out of their homes on Sunday noon after they felt mild tremors accompanied by a loud sound in their locality. Residents made frantic calls to their contacts to confirm whether they too felt the tremor, while some coastal residents headed to the beach areas to observe the sea currents.
It is learnt that about 12 houses mostly situated on Betul coastline have developed cracks due to the mild tremors. Houses belonging to ex-sarpanch Anand Tonke, Shailesh Mehta, Manoj Tonke, Kamalakant Keuleskar and others developed cracks.
When contacted, Canacona fire services said there were no reports of damages in Canacona.
Canacona Mamlatdar Sudhin Natu visited most of the coastal villages late Sunday evening to take stock of the situation.
It was at about 1.20 pm that many residents inside their houses noticed a jerking sound of their windows and doors, besides rattling sounds of cups/ glasses on tables and showcase items.
Many residents rushed out of their houses and began to make frantic calls to their various contacts to confirm whether they too felt the tremor, while some coastal residents headed to the beach areas to observe the sea behaviour.
Sources said the tremors were so mild that only the residents who were seated at that time could physically feel the earth movement, which many described as half a second jerk.
Shekar Pagi of Agonda, who was having lunch, found his plate jerking a bit and water glass shook a bit on his dining table and also noticed his showcase making rattling sound.
“I immediately ran out of the house and headed to the beach to observe any unusual developments of the sea water. I made calls to re-confirm if others too felt similar happenings and alerted coastal residents to watch for any abnormal sea behaviour,” Pagi told Herald.
Residents from other areas in Agonda too felt the tremor and began to frantically call others.
Remy Pereira of Nuem (Khola), noticing sudden rattling sound from his showcase and from the glass stand on their table, moved out of the house with his child and wife and began to make calls to others.
Reports came from Poinguinim to the south of Canacona taluka and Barcem-Padi in Quepem taluka to the east of Canacona taluka, besides residents from municipal areas too felt the tremor.
Incidentally, rains which have been pouring in the taluka since Friday evening provided a brief respite on Sunday afternoon, however, the lull and deep pressure could be visibly felt with no sign of sun throughout the day on Sunday.
