High-pressure jet of water causes panic, triggers evacuations amid drilling operation in Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer District Collector Pratap Singh Nathawat said the leakage stopped around 10 pm on Sunday.

He also appealed to the people to stay away from the area.

Mohangarh sub-tehsildar Lalit Charan said the leakage stopped on its own around 10 pm on Sunday. However, according to experts, the leakage might start again at any time, leading to the discharge of harmful elements such as poisonous gases.

Charan on Sunday said ONGC officials had inspected the spot and added that the gas was found to be neither poisonous nor flammable.

Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita have been imposed in this area, he said.

Dr Narayan Das Inakhiya, a Senior Hydro-Geologist at the Rajasthan State Ground Water Department, attributed the incident to what is known as an “artesian condition”. He explained that in the desert region, water exists in a confined state beneath a protective geological layer of sandstone. When the original water layer is breached by drilling through this 200-metre-thick barrier, water is forced upwards due to high pressure. This phenomenon has been observed in other areas of Mohangarh and Nachana Samiti Panchayat, but the intensity of this particular event was unprecedented.

Speculation regarding the water’s connection to the ancient Saraswati River was refuted by Dr Inakhiya, who noted that it may have origins tracing back to pre-Vedic times and could be millions of years old. Officials confirmed that while small amounts of gas were present with the water, it was non-flammable and posed no safety hazards.

Initially, the water erupted forcefully but gradually diminished and eventually ceased. The sandy landscape absorbed much of the water, which helped prevent extensive flooding or damage. Nevertheless, a large pit remains at the site, posing a safety risk, and the authorities have taken precautions to avert accidents.

Charan also appealed to the public not to allow any person or cattle to enter within 500 metres of the excavation area.

Farmers cultivating nearby fields have also been told to avoid the area.

He said permission to bring out the equipment stuck in the pit would be denied until experts could weigh in on the issue. (With PTI inputs)