A tube well digging operation in the Mohangarh canal area of Jaisalmer led to sudden water flow on Saturday. It is ongoing continuously since two days. The field of Chak 3 Jorawala minor of 27 BD has now turned to a deep trench and pond, the cumin seed crop also stands destroyed.

This happened during digging of a tube well by a man named Vikram Singh Bhati. The digging was more than 850 m deep which caused sudden crack leading the water to burst like fountain with gas and heavy pressure. The deputy tehesildar and executive magistrate Lalit Charan, senior scientist of the groundwater department Dr. Narayan Das Inkhiyan, officials from the Mohangarh and PTM officials were present on the field soon after being informed. The local administration also took help of ONGC and Indian oil. The water gushed over, leading the truck and tubewell digging machine stuck there. Later at night, both of them sinked in the deep pit.

By today morning, there was no sight of the truck and machine seen anywhere. The continuous water flow is causing havoc. Crops like isab, mustard, gram, etc. are grown in the nearby fields. The farmers are worried if the water continues coming out at the same speed, it would destroy the crops. Further posing threat to life and property, submerging the entire village.

The truck and tubewell digging machines cannot be rescued as there is a possibility of poisonous gas leakage and explosions leading to land collapse in whichever area the water flows. Removing the vehicle can cause serious tensions. A temporary police post has been established for the evacuation. The executive magistrate has issued a public notice to prevent humans and cattle from entering the location within 500 m of radius.

Meanwhile, it is being said that this can be a resurfacing of the Sarasvati river in the region making this a mysterious incident. However, to this Inkhiya cleared, “This is caused by unusual geological phenomenon caused by artesian conditions.” The scientist didn’t link it to the resurfacing of the ancient river. When the groundwater from a recharged location flows to a low elevated point of discharge within a confined formation, it gives rise to artesian conditions.

After more than 48 hours, the water flow hasn’t stopped. Let’s hope that things don’t mess up and elevate any further. And the administration is able to monitor the situation well.