An odd opening of nature in a remote section of West Sumatra, hastened the process of gathering stares on crowds of curious people. The sinkhole, which is found in the Lima Puluh Kota Regency, soon gained popularity on social media, as people started recording videos of clear water in the sinkhole.
The water was thought by many residents to be endowed with magical powers to heal certain diseases and some residents went to the extent of drinking it hoping that it would treat their diseases.
The sinkhole had initially been created due to heavy rain in the region. Its deep hole filled with fresh-looking water forming a tiny natural pool. Soon stable inhabitants flocked to the scene.
Other individuals took bottles to get hold of the water and others just drank the water. The location soon became a transient tourist attraction with an increasing number of visitors coming every day.
Rumors About Healing Water
Legends of the water go viral. Visitors said that the water would improve health or cure some minor illnesses. Due to such rumors, the sinkhole was even more popular. The locals of the surrounding villages went to the region to have a personal experience.
Nevertheless, the local authorities started to have safety concerns. They were worried that too many people were putting their trust in the water not knowing the content in the water. Very soon, the local government resorted to carrying out laboratory tests to determine whether the water was safe to drink.
Test Results Raise Concerns
The results of the tests revealed a grave issue after the tests were done. Vasko Ruseimy reported that the water was high in Escherichia coli which is commonly referred to as E. coli. The bacteria is a common one in contaminated water and may lead to illness in case it is consumed by the people.
According to the reports made by the officials, the water had a lower pH of less than 6.5 and this indicated it was more acidic than drinking water. The tests indicated that the dissolved solid and iron concentration in the water was still within an acceptable range but the presence of E. coli rendered the water unfit to be consumed.
Law enforcement gives warning to the community.
After the test results, the deputy governor has acted swiftly to address the people. He said that the notion of the water to possess healing powers was nothing but not true. To him, the sinkhole is not a resource in medicine but a natural geological occurrence.
The local government has currently requested people to stop using the water. The police also advised the citizens to maintain a distance of 50 meters or more along the rim of the sinkhole to avoid accidents. Masses of people around the unsteady terrain would pose further risk.
Watch the video here:
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