Well water keeps oscillating in Gujarat's Morbi; experts rule out seismic activity

Morbi (Gujarat): An 18-foot-deep farm well in Gujarat's Morbi district has become an unexpected attraction after its water began producing continuous waves and ripples, puzzling villagers and drawing large crowds over the past five days.

The unusual activity, reported from a remote village in Morbi, prompted fears that it could be linked to seismic activity. However, officials have ruled out any earthquake-related cause, saying there has been no recorded seismic activity in the area.

According to experts, the phenomenon is most likely the result of natural groundwater recharge following recent heavy rainfall, with air escaping through gaps in underground rock formations creating the disturbance in the water.

Curious villagers, passersby and travellers along the nearby highway have been visiting the site to witness the unusual movement.

District Geologist J S Vadher said the phenomenon was not linked to any tectonic activity.

"This is not a seismic activity. Prima facie, it appears that following heavy upstream rainfall, groundwater is recharging and air trapped in the pore spaces of rocks is being released, causing the disturbance in the well," Vadher said.

He added that officials had consulted the Institute of Seismological Research in Gandhinagar, which confirmed that there is no active fault line in the area.

Morbi District Collector Swapnil Khare said the state government had been informed and a technical team would examine the site.

"We have informed the Gujarat government about it, and a team from Gandhinagar will visit the site for further investigation," Khare said.

The well's owner, Pranjivan Sadariya, said he first noticed the unusual water movement on August 2, shortly after arriving at his farm.

"When I arrived at my farm on Sunday, water from the well was spilling over the edge, and the same thing has continued ever since," he said.

Sadariya said the well had been constructed around three months ago.