ALAPPUZHA: The Ground Water Department has begun a study on the rare phenomenon where natural gas was found emanating from an abandoned tubewell on the premises of the residence of Rameshan of Arattuvazhi in Alappuzha. Hydrologist Ancy Joseph visited the place on Monday and collected the details. The Mining and Geology Department have also begun investigation into the phenomenon. The family noticed gas coming out of the borewell two weeks ago. The 16-feet deep borewell had showed no traces of water. After abandoning it, the plumbers lit a match to mould the cap of the borewell upon which they noticed the flame.Rameshan and his wife Rethnamma have connected the borewell to the stove and since been cooking using the gas. However, Ground Water Department district officer P N Ajithkumar said it was not a unusual phenomenon and the biological action under the ground was the reason for the emanation of gas. “It is commonly found in marshy places. It will last only a few weeks. The natural gas formation needs millions of years and it is found thousands of feet underground”, Ajithkumar said and added that the same phenomenon had been reported in various places in the coastal areas in the state.Geologist K N Raman Namboothiri is of the same opinion. “The presence of hydrocarbon, like methane, may be the reason of gas and it would stop in few days,” he said. At present, the gas is being used by two families- Rethnamma’s brother Sabu too uses the source. They have constructed special pipe line from borewell to the kitchen to carry gas. Regulators have also been set up to control the gas flow.
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