Chennai may face massive destruction if hit by earthquake: Expert

Chennai, April 29, 2105: In the wake of Nepal earthquake, experts have warned of lurking danger of earthquake to Tamil Nadu, especially to its capital city. Anna University former Dean Prof. Santhakumar told reporters here that most of the Tamil Nadu cities and towns are in number three tremor zone with the threat of facing earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 or more on Richter scale. Santhakumar says Chennai city has more heritage and architectural buildings and in the event of an earthquake, most of the buildings would be flattened to ground. Chennai, Kovai, Madurai,Nagpatnam, Tanjaore and Pondicherry cities are likely to face maximum destruction in the event of an earthquake hitting the state, he elaborated. Santhakumar said most constructions of Chennai city were not in tune with earthquake-proof technology. "It is doubtful whether these constructions would withstand a powerful earthquake," he said, adding most coastal line areas in Chennai are handicapped by lose soil. The pillars should be constructed with one meter diameter at least for buildings with more than 10 floors, he said and remarked: "Most buildings are not like that."