CHIANG RAI, 12 May 2014 (NNT) - The Chiang Rai earthquake that struck on the evening of May 5th has created a total of 712 aftershocks so far and caused severe mental distress to a number of locals living near the quake’s epicenter.
The Seismological Bureau of the Meteorological Department reported that the quake has generated at least seven aftershocks measuring 5.0-5.9 on the Richter scale and at least 29 aftershocks at a magnitude of 4.0 to 4.9. About 116 other aftershocks were also detected, ranging from 3.0 to 3.9 on the scale. Lastly, dozens of smaller aftershocks with a magnitude lower than 3.0 were reported.
Reports indicate that a number of patients were also admitted to the hospital due to psychological stress after experiencing the effects of the earthquake. The Chiang Rai Public Health Office has declared that at least 50 percent of the victims had trouble falling asleep or were haunted by nightmares, causing them to awake in the middle of the night.
Adding to the psychological impacts, the quake has also destroyed a number of roads and highways, especially Highway No. 118 between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
Meanwhile, the quake has also caused the ground level to sink by at least 1 to 3 meters at a village in Mae Lao District. Authorities are now carrying out repair works by redirecting traffic routes and establishing temporary roadways, as well as solving the problem of soil liquefaction due to the earthquake.