Hoax call make people spent sleepless night KARIMNAGAR/NIZAMABAD/ADILABAD: A hoax call from pranksters warning of an imminent 'destructive earthquake' had many people run out of their houses in North Telangana early Wednesday.
The rumour, floated by unidentified youngsters, triggered widespread panic among people in Adilabad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Warangal and Medak districts. The resultant chaos was such that seismologists and meteorology department officials in Hyderabad had to officially deny the rumours!
People in Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts spent the night outdoors fearing the worst. Many called up their relatives and friends to find out more about the 'imminent earthquake.'
In Nizamabad district, including in parts of Nizamabad town, villages bordering Maharashtra, Bichkunda, Pitlam, Bodhan, Armoor and Banswada mandals, the rumour spread like wildfire and at a few places, where mobile signals weren't strong, villagers went around alerting the people.
The situation was much the same in Karimnagar district. Who made the hoax call and to whom remains a mystery. According to some, the rumours began with a call from Nanded district to some people in Jukkal village in Nizamabad district.
They, in turn, alerted their friends in Bhainsa and from there, it soon spread to Basara, Mudhole, Nirmal, Kaddam, Khanapur and Jannaram.
The police and district officials, who came to know of the panic, contacted the Met department in Hyderabad which clarified that there was no threat of an earthquake. The panic subsided only after officials assured the people.
News Posted: 21 August, 2014
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