KATHMANDU: The sudden release of water with sand while digging a borehole at Budhanilkantha Municipality-10, Kapan today took witnesses by surprise.
The water is billowing as a water fountain as high as 40 feet for hours. The site lies near the Kapan Shiva Temple in Kathmandu.
The Department of Mines and Geology was already informed about the release of water and Prithvi Lal Shrestha, a senior geologist from the Department, has already visited the site to assess the situation. As the geologist said the water is mixed with methane gas.
“There is methane gas underground in Kathmandu Valley and before this was also released in Kalimati, Teku, and Dhumbarahi areas,” said Shrestha.
He urged locals not to be panic about the incident and let the gas release until it stops naturally. As he said, flammable gases and fire should not be lit around it. He could not estimate how long this natural phenomenon would last.
Local resident Badri Dhakal expressed his amazement at the scene, saying that ‘the land may have caved in as a result. “A large lump of sediments erupted at the beginning. The sediments smell like gas,” he said.
The eruption took place around 150 meters down. The areas nearby have turned muddy as a result.
A crowd of local people gathered to see the eruption while the police have cleared the crowd through miking.
As per the advice of geologists, people around 200 meters away have been asked not to light a fire as a safety measure, said Inspector Bhagawati Timilsina.
Likewise, a traffic diversion along Kapan Panchakumari-Shiva Temple will be constructed, she said. RSS
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