THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The after-effects of the massive quake that hit Sumatra were felt across the state on Wednesday spreading panic and leading to evacuation from highrises in cities like Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. Office workers ran out of buildings creating traffic jams at several places as mild tremors were felt at 2.10 pm.The India Meteorological Department issued a tsunami alert in places like Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kochi and Lakshadweep which was later withdrawn. Reports said that the tremor was felt at some 20 locations in the state.Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Kollam, Alappuzha, Idukki, Kottayam and Kozhikode experienced mild tremors. There was no official report on the magnitude of the earthquake. Based on the tsunami alert issued by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Service (INCOIS), the IMD had warned of the possibility of one-metre-high tides hitting coastal regions of the state after 5 pm.However, a subsequent bulletin issued by the INCOIS after 6 pm withdrew the alert and issued a tsunami watch. “Still, people must abstain from visiting beaches. Fishermen must not venture into sea,” P S Biju, scientist at IMD, Thiruvananthapuram, said.A high-level meeting was convened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy who requested the people not to panic.
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