Experts say smoke more likely from human error than natural phenomena

Environmental experts have said that the heat and smoke rising from the ground of a house in

M. Mulah was most likely from human error than natural phenomena.

The cause of the smoke has not been identified, resulting in panic among locals of the island.

In answer to a question posed by “Sun” to environmental expert Dr. Mohamed Ali who received his PhD on island formation, he said that the Maldivian region did not have any volcanoes, and therefore did not believe it to be from a volcano or release of a natural gas.

Officials digging up the ground in Sosunge, M. Mulah. Sun photo: Reader contribution

“The ridge is 2 kilometers below, with 1,700 kilometers of reef above it. I therefore do not believe it to be anything volcanic,” said Mohamed Ali.

He believes that it is human related; a result of a certain course of action.

“I don’t think something like this has happened before. I think this is the cause of something local,” said Mohamed Ali.

He thinks it most likely related to an issue with electricity.

Officials dug into the ground of the house –Sosunge, located towards the center of the main street of the island – and found the soil and the water beneath to be hot as well.

Military officer holding up an earth rod dug up from the ground. Sun photo: Reader contribution

Police reported on Saturday that they had worked with officials from Fenaka Corporation and confirmed that it was not a result of any issue with electricity.

Police and military officers had dug up the area and removed a four-foot long, one-and-a-half-foot long earth rod from the ground on Saturday night.

However, Mulah Island Council reported again on Sunday that the temperature of the ground still hadn’t gone down.