October 9: Officials from the Depart of Mines and Geology have made a field visit to Dang district to explore the possibility of natural gas after it was detected on the banks of the Rapti River. The team led by the department’s deputy director general, Sudhir Rajaure, inspected the site on Saturday, October 7.

Rajaure confirmed the presence of natural gas underneath the bank of the Rapti River and added that the nature of the gas will be determined after further tests.

“We can determine whether it is petroleum gas or methane gas only after detailed tests,” said Rajaure.

He informed that the Department of Mines and Geology will send a team for detailed study within a month.

It was reported that natural gas was present in a area between Dang’s Gadhwa Village Municipality-7, Jharbaira; Lamahi Municipality-5, Kolahi and Lamahi Municipality-6, Langadhi.