Officials inspect Wunghan ash/smoke emission
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, July 05 2015 : Though the exact details of the ejection of smoke and ashes from Shitru near old Wahong village in Ukhrul district are yet to be established, preliminary observations and studies suggest that it could be due to the combustion of natural gas.

There is no need for fear and panic, preliminary observations and studies suggest.

Details can be established after thorough experiments, intensive investigation and more research work.

This conclusion was drawn after the SDO of Jessami HL Jain, Research Officer AK Ranjit of Relief and Disaster Management, Manipur and his team along with the media went to the spot and conducted experimental survey to establish conclusive facts.

The SDO, Jessami speaking to the villagers urged them not to panic and negated possibilities of volcanic eruption.

The officer said that the smoke and ash emission was possibly due to combustion of natural gas.

A sample of the soil was collected from the site of Shitru for further investigation and examination at laboratory to discover the cause of continuous ejection for the past many years, and to set to rest the panic of the villagers.

According to AK Ranjit, Research Officer of Relief and Disaster Management, there is a presence of highly combustible gas or accumulated natural gas.

On the ejection of gases when the ground is drilled with stick or other material, Ranjit said that it indicates the presence of gas beneath the earth surface.

The foul smell emanating from the craters and bubbles gushing out are natural gases escaping from beneath the ground, he said.

The details of the gases could not however be elaborated.

Another team from Ukhrul Forest Department, led by DFO Manglem said that the craters could be indicative of presence of natural gas at Shitru area and ruled out possibilities of eruption.

While carrying out independent experimental surveys at the swampy area clear clanking sound could be heard which indicated presence of deposits of natural gas.

Moreover the huge rocky mountain cliff in and around the area could possibly act as reservoir for the natural gas deposits.

During a brief interaction at the swampy area, the villagers said rice cultivation and fish rearing have not been successful at Shitru for the past many years.

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