Experts probe mysterious ocean noises

Loud noises emerging from the ocean near the Sindhudurg coastline have piqued the curiosity of marine experts and local officials. While a team of experts from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) visited the spot on Tuesday, the exact cause of the phenomenon still remains a mystery.

Experts are now looking forward to a second round of investigations in the vicinity to determine if the noises are the result of seismic activity deep in the ocean, gas pockets bursts or illegal dynamite fishing.

A team of marine experts from NIO visited Nivati beach of Malvan, popular for its tranquillity, on Tuesday. Experts confirmed that while the loud noises were reported on three different occasions — April 7, 10 and 26, they were heard in the middle of the day. Local civic officials confirmed that the sound reported on April 28 was loud enough to force people to come out of their houses.

Talking to The Asian Age from Goa, Dr S.W.A. Naqvi, director of the NIO, said, “While it is confirmed that the noises came from the ocean, we need a deeper investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the same. It is possible that there could be gas pocket explosions, which is a common geological activity. We will need to look for the exact source of the noise to know what exactly is the reason.”

Dr Naqvi confirmed that they are looking forward to sending their team for another round of investigations deep in the ocean to collect water samples and study the noise pattern.

As there were speculations about occurrences that could lead to a tsunami in the region, experts confirmed that there is no need to panic since the speculations are yet to be confirmed.

“There has been no major seismological activity noted in the area that could ascertain talks of tremors or tsunamis. At the same time, natural activities wouldn’t follow a certain timing and all the three noises were heard in the middle of the day,” said an expert of the panel.

Another initial speculation that the Indian Navy was involved was also withdrawn after Navy officials confirmed that they had scheduled no such exercise in the region on the concerned days. Officials are also considering the possibility of dynamite fishing, which attracts heavy penalties.

As the issue has roused the suspicions of the administrative departments of the district as well, the Maharashtra fisheries department, Indian Coast Guard, and others held an emergency meeting in the last week of April to discuss the issue in detail.