MORBI, Aug 7: A team of groundwater experts has attributed the unusual movement of water inside a newly built farm well in Gujarat’s Morbi district to increased groundwater recharge following heavy rainfall.
The State Water Data Centre team from Gandhinagar inspected the site in Virparda village on Friday after the well attracted widespread attention for its continuously moving water. The experts have ruled out seismic activity and found no immediate evidence of a geological disturbance behind the phenomenon.
The 18-foot-deep well has become a local attraction since August 2, when residents noticed persistent ripples and wave-like movements on the water surface. People from nearby areas, including travellers passing along the highway, have been stopping to observe the unusual sight.
Morbi Collector Swapnil Khare said the preliminary assessment pointed towards groundwater recharge caused by recent heavy rain. According to officials, the increased movement of underground water may have contributed to the unusual activity inside the well.
Authorities also dismissed the possibility that an earthquake or other seismic event was responsible. They indicated that pressure from trapped air or gases beneath the ground could have played a role in producing the continuous surface movement.
A detailed report will be submitted by the Gandhinagar based team after its investigation is completed, the collector said.
Farm owner Pranjivan Sadariya said he first noticed the unusual behaviour on August 2. He recalled that water had risen to the point of spilling over the well’s edge when he reached his farm that day.
The farmer said the structure was constructed around three months ago and had not previously displayed such activity.
The ongoing investigation is expected to provide a clearer explanation of the interaction between recent rainfall, groundwater levels and the pressure conditions beneath the well.