3 weeks ago
Gujarat farmer's well waves puzzle Morbi; officials cite groundwater recharge
A farmer named Pranjivanbhai has a well on his farm in a village in Gujarat.
One day, the water in the well started moving up and down, like small ocean waves, and even spilled over the top.
Lots of people came from nearby villages to see this strange sight, and videos of it went viral online.
Some people thought a ghost might be moving the water, and others wondered if it might be an earthquake.
Scientists and government officials came to check the well carefully.
They said there is no earthquake and no ghost behind it.
They think the water moves because there was a lot of heavy rain, and the ground below is filling up with water again.
Air bubbles trapped inside the rocks push up through the water and make it move.
Wind blowing near the road might also make the water shake.
Scientists are still studying the well, but they say everyone can stay calm and not believe scary rumours.
Water in an 18-foot-deep farm well in Virparda (Veerparda) village, Morbi taluka, Gujarat, began undulating and spilling over, drawing large crowds and going viral on social media.
Farmer Pranjivanbhai Sardiya, reported as Pranjivan Sadariya in some accounts, first noticed the movement on August 2; it continued through Sunday and Monday, stabilised on Tuesday and resumed Wednesday evening.
Officials ruled out seismic activity, attributing the turbulence to groundwater recharge after heavy rainfall and air trapped in the pore spaces of rocks being released.
District Geologist J.S. Vadher (Jagdish Vadher) also cited roadside wind flow, and the Institute of Seismological Research in Gandhinagar confirmed there is no active fault line in the area.
District Collector Swapnil Khare urged people not to believe or spread rumours, and a groundwater research team from Gandhinagar's State Water Data Centre visited the site on Friday.
- Who
- Farmer Pranjivanbhai Sardiya (Pranjivan Sadariya in some reports), whose recently built well is the focus; Morbi District Collector Swapnil Khare, District Geologist J.S. Vadher (Jagdish Vadher) and the Institute of Seismological Research are investigating.
- What
- Water in the 18-foot-deep farm well began undulating, surging and spilling over for about five days, sparking speculation about earthquakes or supernatural activity that officials attribute to groundwater recharge, trapped air and wind flow.
- Where
- Virparda (also spelled Veerparda) village, Morbi taluka, Morbi district, Gujarat.
- When
- First noticed on August 2; movement continued through Sunday and Monday, stabilised on Tuesday and resumed Wednesday evening, with officials commenting on August 7.
- Why
- Officials say heavy rainfall caused rapid groundwater recharge that released air trapped in rock pore spaces, with roadside wind flow also contributing; seismic activity was ruled out.
Scientific explanation
Supernatural and seismic fears
Cause of the water movement
Scientific explanation
Officials say groundwater recharge after heavy rain, air trapped in rock pores, and wind flow caused the turbulence; no seismic activity or active fault was found.
Supernatural and seismic fears
Locals initially suspected supernatural activity or a seismic event; one resident questioned the wind theory, noting that water in other wells was not moving.
How the public should respond
Scientific explanation
District Collector Swapnil Khare urged people not to believe or spread rumours, saying there is currently no cause for alarm.
Supernatural and seismic fears
Large crowds still gathered from neighbouring villages out of curiosity, and some residents remained doubtful until the official explanation was given.
Key facts
- Location
- Virparda (Veerparda) village, Morbi taluka, Morbi district, Gujarat
- Well depth
- 18 feet
- Well owner
- Farmer Pranjivanbhai Sardiya (Pranjivan Sadariya in some reports)
- Well age
- Constructed about three months ago
- First observed
- August 2
- Official explanation
- Groundwater recharge after heavy rain, trapped air in rock pore spaces, wind flow
- Ruled out
- Seismic activity; no active fault per Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), Gandhinagar
- Investigation status
- State Water Data Centre team from Gandhinagar visited site on Friday; detailed report to follow
Quotes
District Collector Swapnil Khare
District Collector of Morbi district
“A groundwater investigation team from the State Water Data Centre in Gandhinagar visited the place on Friday. Their preliminary investigation suggests that groundwater recharge due to heavy rainfall may have triggered this phenomenon.”
theprint.in
“"This is due to the groundwater recharge. The phenomenon is witnessed amid heavy rainfall. Secondly, it (the well) is on the roadside with a wind flow, so there is a fluctuation. There is no seismic activity or earthquake."”
m.rediff.com
thestatesman.com
Local Resident
Resident of Veerparda village
“"I received a call from a resident, stating that the water was moving in the well. People suspected supernatural activity or seismic activity. However, the collector office stated that it was not the case, and there was a scientific reason behind it. If it was the wind, then water in the wells should also be moving."”
m.rediff.com
Sources
Morbi well’s mysterious ripples likely caused by groundwater recharge after heavy rain: Officials
Mystery Well in Gujarat's Morbi Draws Crowds as Water Ripples for Days; Officials Rule Out Seismic Activity
Water in Gujarat farmer's 'haunted 'well is moving again
VIDEO: Mysterious well in Gujarat's Morbi found generating waves, ripples - Here's what geologists suggest
Gujarat: Waves in well puzzle Morbi; experts hint at air pressure, groundwater recharge
Unusual churn in village well in Gujarat’s Morbi sparks supernatural, earthquake speculation; here’s what officials said
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