EARTHQUAKE IN ASSAM

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26204, 30 August 1950, Page 7

EARTHQUAKE IN ASSAM

HUGE LAND AREAS Altered _

MOUNTAIN RANGE SAID TO HAVE DISAPPEARED

LONDON, August 28. Reports from pilots to-day stated that an entire chain of razor-peaked mountains which stood near the point where the Indian, Burmese, and Chinese frontiers meet has disappeared since the earthquake began rocking the Eastern Himalayas two weeks ago, says the New Delhi correspondent of the United Press.

The reports said that reconnaissance pilots had found that large areas of the country had been altered by the earthquake. Some rivers have dried up, others have flooded miles of lowlying ground and drowned an unknown number. Tremors are still causing panic in the towns and villages, but they are diminishing in intensity. Geologists believe that the Tsangpo river,, which becomes the Brahmaputra—one of India’s greatest rivers —may have been altered so that it will revert to its prehistoric course eastwards into the China Sea.

They are undecided over the cause of the earthquake, but most agree that it may be due to volcanic activity. This is suggested by persistent reports of a red glow over the northeastern horizon. Rivers have turned a sulphurous green since the first shocks.

It is pointed out that the Brahmaputra Valley and adjacent areas are geologically unstable and lie in one of the world’s major earthquake belts.

An urgent appeal was sent to-day to the Indian Government for engineers to help divert the swollen Brahmaputra and Dihing rivers from the town of Dibrugrah, which is in danger of being swamped by roaring torrents.