Maharashtra: Mild Earthquake Shakes Chandoli Dam Area Amid Heavy Rainfall In Sangli
Maharashtra: Mild Earthquake Shakes Chandoli Dam Area Amid Heavy Rainfall In Sangli
On Wednesday morning, a mild earthquake rattled the Chandoli Dam area in Sangli district, occurring at 4:47 a.m. The tremors, recorded at a magnitude of 3 on the Richter scale, affected an area of approximately eight kilometers around Varanavati in Shirala taluka. While the quake has raised concerns among local residents, authorities have confirmed that the Chandoli Dam remains secure.
The earthquake struck as water was being released from the Chandoli Dam, which is currently 82 percent full due to heavy rains in the catchment area. The persistent rainfall has led to increased river levels, prompting precautionary water releases from the dam. Despite this, there is no immediate danger to the dam, and vigilance instructions have been issued to nearby villages.
This recent seismic activity follows a series of earthquakes in Marathwada, where tremors were felt across four districts—Parbhani, Nanded, Hingoli, and Jalna. These tremors, with a magnitude of 4.5, affected various talukas, including parts of Risod in Washim and several areas in Jalna and Parbhani.
Weather expert Punjabrao Dakh has speculated a connection between seismic activity and rainfall, suggesting that recent earthquakes in Marathwada might indicate an increase in rainfall. Dakh noted that previous earthquakes in the region, such as the Killari quake in Latur, were followed by substantial rainfall.
As Sangli continues to experience heavy rains, the situation remains under close watch, with authorities ensuring that measures are in place to manage the dam’s water levels and maintain public safety.
