Apprehension still looms large over Wahong village ; Craters continue to emit smoke
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 03 2015 : Villagers of Old Wahong and New Wahong have appealed to the State Government to step up immediate measures to protect them in case any natural disaster happens at Shitru area.

Talking to a team of visiting media persons yesterday, the villagers said that they have been living in fear as smoke and ashes continue to gush out from the swampy area of Shitru.

The visiting media persons saw the craters still emitting smoke from the craters.

Wahong village is located in the interior part of Ukhrul district, 130 kms to the north of Ukhrul district headquarters and around 10 kms from Indo-Myanmar border pillar number 130 .

Manipur-Nagaland border is located at a distance of around 3 km from Shitru.

One of the craters at Wahong village

Wahong villagers accompanied the media team when they trekked to Shitru area, located just a half kilometre away from Old Wahong village.

On reaching the area, it was clearly visible that smoke and ashes were spreading up to a radius of around 10 metres.

The media team could also witness five different types of extremely hot soil with different colours emitting from different holes of the crater.

Unknown particles were also seen bubbling like water boiling inside the holes.

Smoke and ashes were pouring out due to burning of leaves and other particles by this extremely high temperature.

Many small trees and other shrubs are drying up due to constant heat emitted from this crater, which sends out a peculiar smell similar of burning tyres.

Swampiness of the area could be felt at the radius of around 10 metres from crater.

A villager said crater emitting smoke was first seen by a village youth identified as Standhope Vashum of Wahong village when he went there for hunting around two months back.

Standhop said that at first he thought that it was pine woods burning, the villager said and added that he however received burn injuries when he accidentally stepped on the crater.

The villager said that they had also witnessed outpouring of smoke and ashes in the past as well.

However, the phenomenon always ceased automatically after some time, he said.

This time, the crater is getting bigger day by day and they are scared about a possible natural calamity.

He urged the Government to investigate the matter and step up protective measures at the earliest.

Ukhrul DC has instructed the SDO concerned to visit the area and prevent the villagers from entering Shitru area.