JAGATSINGHPUR: A team of Directorate of Geology visited Palasol and Dingeswer villages on Thursday to study the formation of craters on farm fields. Meanwhile, craters were also found on paddy fields of Salijanga and Ramchandrapur villages under Raghunathpur tehsil on the day triggering panic among the locals.
The three-member team of geologists, led by Deputy Director Narattom Sahoo, visited Palasol and Dingeswer where as many as 30 deep holes were found last week. The team members interacted with the villagers and advised them not to panic as this was a natural phenomenon. They also collected earth samples for examination at central laboratory, Bhubaneswar to ascertain the exact cause of the craters in these localities.
Contacted, Tehsildar Padmalochan Sahu said, ‘’After preliminary investigation by the team of geologists, it was found that these areas come under Mahanadi delta basin. Hence, the earth in these localities is loose due to unconsolidated soil and sand. After rain water entered the loose soil, the craters were formed.’’
The team has collected soil samples and will submit a detailed report to the district administration within three to four days, he added. On the other hand, panic gripped the villagers of Salijanga and Ramkumarpur after hundreds of craters were formed in these localities.
The depth of the holes is eight feet and width six to seven feet. The villagers have restricted children from playing on the ground and cultivation on paddy fields.
On Monday, deep holes were also found on paddy fields of Tanara and Adheikula villages under Raghunathpur Tehsil. Villagers have stopped cultivation on paddy fields due to creation of the craters. Locals also apprehend that the houses in these localities are under threat as these may collapse due to formation of the craters. Locals expressed strong displeasure over the geology team not visiting these villages under Raghunathpur tehsil.