Pelega hill in Nawalparasi has been smoking for years. Now experts want answers
Local residents say smoke has emerged from different spots on the hill for decades, but has grown thicker in recent months. The smoke does not always emerge from the same point but appears at different locations on the hill. Post Photo
A team of experts from the Department of Mines and Geology arrived in Nawalparasi East on Tuesday to study thick smoke that has been emerging from Pelega hill in ward 6 of Hupsekot Rural Municipality for several months.
The four-member team, led by Prakash Luintel, held preliminary discussions with officials and other stakeholders at the District Administration Office on Tuesday. It is scheduled to visit the site on Wednesday to examine the smoke and determine its source.
The team includes representatives from the Petroleum Exploration Project, technical experts from Dhawadi Iron Company Ltd and Nepal Academy of Science and Technology. The department has deputed the team to the district until September 20.
Narayan Baskota, information officer at the department, said that the smoke could be associated with sulfur or other geological materials. He said cracks that formed in the ground after the 2015 earthquake could have created pathways for gases or smoke to escape.
The presence of coal deposits in the area is another possibility, said Baskota.
“Once the experts complete their study, we will know what exactly is causing the smoke,” he said.
The smoke, which is accompanied by an odour, has reportedly been seen in the area for decades. Laxmi Pandey, chairperson of Hupsekot Rural Municipality, said residents had reported smoke from the hill since around 2012. The phenomenon has attracted renewed attention in recent weeks after the smoke became thicker.
“Smoke has been coming out from the area for many decades, but it has become noticeably thicker recently,” said Pandey. She said she had formally requested the government to send experts to investigate the phenomenon. According to her, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Mahabir Pun had also promised by telephone to send a technical team.
According to the local people, the smoke does not always emerge from the same point but appears at different locations on the hill.
Rajan Gautam and Manish Khanal, lawmakers representing the district, visited the Department of Mines and Geology on Monday to press for an early investigation. Gautam said the site was close to human settlements and required a prompt assessment to establish whether the smoke posed any danger.
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