UNI

Rajkot, Aug 1: Meteor-like objects struck at Bela village of Jodia taluka in Jamnagar district of Saurashtra region on Monday night, according to the district authority.

The meteor-like objects showered the area in rapid succession at around 2130 hours last night. Besides this, sounds were also heard by the villagers following which they ran out of their houses in panic.

According to science department of the Saurashtra University, the meteors appear as fast-moving streaks of light in the night sky.

They are frequently referred to as ''falling stars'' or ''shooting stars.'' Most are white or blue-white in appearance, although other colors are yellow and orange.

Meteoroids are the smallest particles that revolve round the sun, and most are no larger than grains of sand. Meteoroids become visible to observers on Earth when they enter the atmosphere and are then referred to as meteors.

They become visible as a result of friction caused by air molecules slamming against the surface of the high-velocity particle.

Jamnagar district administration and the Indian Air Force personnel have already began a survey and search operations in the surrounding areas.

It was also learnt that meteor-like objects were seen in some parts of Vankaner, Bhuj, Bhachau and Morbi in Saurashtra region, the sources said.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Ministe Narendra Modi has urged the people of Saurashtra region not to get panic due to showering of meteors. He also appealed to the people to inform the authorities in case of occuring of such incidents, an official sources said in Gandhinagar.