The Hindu : Well collapses may occur again due to monsoon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 15, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Well collapses may occur again due to monsoon

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI JUNE 14. The continuous downpour experienced in the State has not only flooded streets, but also seems to have affected the crust of the earth, at least in some areas.

A case of well collapse has been reported from Angamally. The well, in a house compound near the private bus stand there, collapsed on Thursday night. The collapse was noticed only on Friday morning.

The phenomenon had been occurring in various places in the State in the past. It was widely noticed after the earthquake experienced in the State in December 2000. The waves in wells and their collapse had occurred in all districts except the sandy belt in Alappuzha district, according to scientists who had conducted studies on the phenomenon.

The scientists could not find any specific pattern for the well collapses.

The phenomenon is the result of the variation in the internal stress of the under layers of the earth.

The well collapse, movement of waves in the well and emission of gases from them had been noticed at places like Malappuram, Kozhikkode and Thiruvananthapuram.

Between January and April this year, 15 well collapses had been reported in the State, according to scientists.

An incident of well collapse occurred on June 8 at Kattakkada in Thiruvananthapuram. Minor tremors have also been occurring at various places for the past two years.

Rain can only increase the chances of precipitation of the internal stress in the earth's layer, but the phenomenon had been occurring in all seasons.

The phenomenon may cause landslides in hilly areas like Idukki, scientists opined.

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Well collapses may occur again due to monsoon