Oxygen depletion kills a large number of Jalebi fish in Palar river near Ambur

A significant number of fish, predominantly Jalebi fish, were discovered deceased in the Palar River near Ambur town, Tirupattur, on Sunday. The water's oxygen levels had plummeted to a dangerously low state, causing the mass death. The Department of Fisheries confirmed that the dead fish comprised the majority of the species found, with the fish inhabiting both fresh and brackish water bodies.

Over 150 kilograms of dead fish were removed from the river on Thursday. G. Ramesh, a local resident, expressed concern over the incident and urged an investigation into the cause of the sudden fish deaths, recommending the cleaning of the tank. The river, a vital water source for irrigation and domestic use, supports the cultivation of crops such as paddy, banana, sugarcane, and groundnuts in the surrounding villages.

Providing water to more than 1,200 acres of farmland and supplying drinking water to local residents, the river has also been utilized for commercial fish farming. The Catla fish, ranging in size from two to four feet, is the primary variety found in the river. Every year, approximately three tonnes of major fish species like Catla and Jalebi are harvested and sold in local markets, as well as in larger towns like Tirupattur, Jolarpet, Ambur, Vaniyambadi, and Gudiyatham.