MADINAH: The Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) has advised indefinite postponement of the return of evacuees from Al-Ais and surrounding villages following tremors of varying degrees in the area over the past few days.

“There was a general agreement among members of the task force who include representatives of SGS, the General Directorate of the Civil Defense and earthquake experts on delaying the return of residents evacuated from Al-Ais and villages close to Harrah Al-Shaqah,” Zuhair Nawab, chief of SGS, said in a statement.

The decision follows the relatively high intensity of tremors registered over the past two days, he said. According to an SGS bulletin issued yesterday, the National Network for Seismic Monitoring, a subsidiary of SGS, registered two tremors measuring 4.55 and 3.2 on the Richter scale in addition to several lesser tremors during the 24 hours ending noon yesterday.

However, variables such as temperature upheavals, radon gas and carbon dioxide concentration remained unchanged.

The fissure at the top of the Harrah Al-Shaqa also did not give any disturbing indications, the bulletin said.

The SGS is watching the pattern and wavelength of tremors registered on the tremor-gauging scale around the clock.