Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (SP)

Madikeri, Jul 22: After earth developed crack for a distance of two km at Monnangeri in Galibeedu gram panchayat in the taluk on Friday, locals became panicky.

As a precautionary measure, people residing near the crack have been accommodated in a school.

Monnangeri is located in a hilly terrain. A negligible crack had arisen at the spot some days back. It suddenly widened on Friday. Tahsildar of this taluk, Kusuma, rural police station house officer, Chetan, geologists and other officials visited the spot and assessed the development.

The officials said that the problem would subside once the rainfall recedes. Official of mines and geology department, Reshma, said that because of excessive percolation of water into the earth triggered by copious rainfall, earth's surface has developed this crack, adding that there is no chance of the earth suffering depression in the area. Although the officials assured the villagers not to worry about the crack, the villagers continue to be apprehensive as they have encountered this phenomenon for the first time.