Thousands of fish found dead in Cauvery river

Thousands of fish were found dead in stagnant pools of water near the Amma Mandapam bathing ghat in Cauvery River.

Dead fish found near the Amma Mandapam bathing ghat in the Cauvery River.
| Photo Credit:
R. SELVA MUTHU KUMAR

The incident comes at a time when the release of water from the Mettur Dam in the Cauvery has been delayed due to poor water storage levels. Only a minimal quantity of water is currently being discharged to meet drinking water requirements. As a result, several stretches of the river have dried up, leaving behind isolated stagnant pools.

Sources said schools of fish had been washing ashore for the past three days. Dead fish were seen floating in the stagnant water near the bathing ghat, creating a foul smell in the area.

Following complaints, Tiruchi Corporation workers were deployed to remove the dead fish and dispose of them to prevent potential health hazards.

Officials who inspected the site suspect that the fish deaths may have been caused by either the discharge of effluents into the river or depleted dissolved oxygen levels due to high temperatures and reduced water flow. Water samples have been collected from the affected area and sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine the exact cause of the incident.