Crater expands, ejection of more smoke and ashes reported
Panic continues to grip Wahong village
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, July 01 2015 :
Panic still grips the villagers of Old Wahong in Ukhrul district as smoke and ashes are still gushing out from swampy Shitru area with signs of gradual expansion of the crater and developing more holes.
According to villagers, they first sighted smoke emitting from Shitru in the month of April this year.
However, they thought that it was coming from the burning pine roots in the forest.
However, village youth Wisdom Vashum, who accidentally stepped into the hole suffered burn injuries on his left leg.
The incident made them realise that something unnatural was happening at the area, they said.
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Shitru is located very close to Old Wahong village between the mountain range boundary of Myanmar and Nagaland.
Standhope Vashum who had visited Shitru said that three holes at the radius of 1 feet are now clearly visible and the surrounding area at the circumference of around 60 feets has sunk due to continuous emission of ashes.
He further said that water of the nearby ponds gives a peculiar sour taste, which is really a mystery to them.
Standhope Vashum said that the villagers first noticed smoke coming out from the swampy area in 2007 and again in 2012 smoke was seen although there was no hole.
However, after a gap of three years, continuous emission of smoke and ashes has left them apprehensive that a natural disaster might happen in the village.
According to scientific experts, continuous outpouring of ashes and smoke indicates high possibility of sudden volcanic eruption or lava ejection.
Following these reports, Ukhrul DC Modak Hrisheekesh Arvind has sounded an alert.
He has informed the matter to the higher authority for intervention and necessary action and immediate investigation.
The DC had also directed Jessami SDO to immediately investigate the matter and send updated reports from Old Wahong village.
According to reliable sources, experts from neighbouring State Nagaland are likely to visit the site soon.
Old Wahong villagers appealed to the State Government and all concerned to take up immediate steps to avert any natural disaster.
On July 5, a team of Manipur University's Earth Sciences Department led by Dr S Manichandra will visit the site.
They will bring necessary equipment to study the matter.