VIJAYAWADA: When farmer Vem-avarapu Giri Reddy of Proddutur in Kankipadu mandal, in Krishna district, was deepening the borewell on his five acre-farm from 40 feet to 150 feet on Thursday, the last thing he expected was a water spout.
On Saturday, a spout of water shot up 50-60 feet into the air, taking with it the submersible pump that he installed. The water touched its maximum height at about 3 pm, and was still gushing water when last reports came in. Officials at the district groundwater department said that it may be due to high pressure of gas underneath.
Department officer A. Varaprasada Rao said that pressure formation can cause an artesian spring. It occurs when the groundwater, under pressure, finds its way to the surface. Mr Rao added that such a spring can also occur when gas is formed. But, he denied the possibility of availability of gas in large quantiies here.
He explained that decomposed material could turn into gas; decomposed matter in wells can also turn into gas. That may cause a water spout. The police evacuated locals from the area for safety. Revenue officials, fire fighters, police officials and other officials are monitoring the water spring.
