CUDDALORE: It’s hot news for residents of Vadalur. Water in a well at Vadalur suddenly turned hot on Monday and hundreds of people from the neighbourhood thronged to see the spectacle.
The plot, where the well is situated, is just a few meters away from the bus stand. Raja, who lives in the house located in the plot, went to the well to fetch water around 6 am and found the water extremely hot. “When I looked into the well early in the morning, I was surprised to see vapours emanating out. I informed the police,” Raja said.
“About five wells are located in the neighbouring houses in our street. But water in those wells seems normal. Only the water in our well is warm,” he said.
As people began to throng the area, Vadalur Police had to seal off the street in order to control the crowds. However, the curious people found another route to reach the well. Officers from Town Panchayat and the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board inspected the well separately. By afternoon, a team of experts from the Earth Science Department of Annamalai University conducted tests.
Explaining the phenomenon, Earth Science Department head Prof T Ramkumar said, “It is a local phenomenon. Normally, water below the ground is relatively warm. This could be felt when we use hand pumps early in the morning. Neyveli mines are situated just a few km away from this spot. Usually, water in the mines would be pumped out by the NLC. But due to the excess water brought by heavy downpour, water in the mines could not be pumped out as usual. So the water in the sub-surface could not come out due to the pressure. The sub-surface water has found a seepage, resulting in minor connectivity between surface water and warm water in the deep ground.”
“We tested the water and it was about 40 degree Celsius when we tested it in the afternoon. It would last for one or two days. Chemical quality of the water is normal and it is safe to drink,” he added.