PEOPLE in the Western Province have reportedly fled to higher ground in fear of another tsunami after two separate earthquakes rocked the province yesterday.
According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, the first earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 occurred at 08:48am, 36km South South East of Rendova whilst the second earthquake measuring up to 7.2 in magnitude reportedly occurred at 10:37am south-south east of Gizo.
However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) in Hawaii issued no warnings of a tsunami threat within the country and the region.
But the Director of the Meteorological office David Hiriasia said as of yesterday the National Disaster Management Office and their office have advised people in the Western Province, especially those close to the earthquakes epicentre to move to higher ground and avoid going out to sea.
“We haven’t received any reports of a possible tsunami but it was positive to see that people followed our instructions and moved to higher ground yesterday,” Mr Hiriasia said.
He added that the depth of the earthquake was too shallow, thus possibility of a tsunami was very low.
“The depths of the two earthquakes were relatively shallow so the possibility of a tsunami occuring yesterday was not called for,” he said.
But as of yesterday the PTWC issued a stern warning stating that relevant authorities should be wary about such earthquakes and take appropriate action.
Reports reaching the Solomon Star from Gizo police stated that they have advised people to be calm and report any unnusual change of the sea level.
Gizo police reported that residents in the township have felt light tremors before the two bigger ones yesterday morning.
In April 2nd 2007, a similar earthquake measuring 7.6 in magnitude south-south east of Gizo trgiggered a devastaing tsunami which hit Western and Choiseul provinces claiming more than 50 lives.
Mr Hiriasia added that the second earthquake which measured up to 7.2 South south east of Gizo occurred around the same area 3 years ago which triggered the tsunami.
No deaths were reported.
By DOUGLAS MARAU
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