Heightened construction activity could be reason for tremours

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Massive construction activities could be the cause for minor earth tremours reported during last week in several areas in the Ampara district including Wedinagala and Damanare, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) chairman Dr N P Wijayananada said.

He said the last tremor was reported on Saturday at 9.01am. Dr Wijayananda said the GSMB decided to establish a new Seismic Monitoring Network in the Ampara district.

“This will support the GSMB team to obtain accurate data about tremors,” he said.

The new system will be established in the Ampara district during the week to closely study the series of tremors in the area. “The signals we receive on the tremors reported from Ampara have been weak since the networks established are in Pallekale, Hakmana and Mahakanadarawa. The new network will assist in overcoming the obstacle of signal strength,” the GSMB chairman said.

Meanwhile, the District Secretary, Ampara said major constructions in the district have been completed.

“The other factor is all the tremors occurred in the afternoon and nothing happened in the night. Measures have been taken to commence research on this issue from tomorrow,” Dr Wijayananada said.