Oxygen depletion kills over 150 kg of Jalebi fish in Palar river

A large number of fish were found dead in the Palar river at Madhanur village near Ambur in Tirupattur on Sunday due to depletion of oxygen levels in the water. The Hindu reports that Fisheries Department officials said most of the dead fish were Jalebi (Tilapia fillets), a common variety found in fresh and brackish waterbodies. The department removed over 150 kg of dead fish on Thursday.

Residents and local fishermen alerted panchayat and Fisheries Department officials after noticing fish floating on the riverbank. Officials collected water samples to determine the exact cause of death. Resident G. Ramesh said the tank is a key water source for irrigation and domestic consumption, with more than 15 bore wells dug along the riverbank supplying piped water to 12 surrounding villages.

The Palar river, about 20 ft deep, irrigates over 1,200 acres of farmland growing paddy, banana, sugarcane, and groundnuts. It is also used for commercial fish cultivation. Revenue from fish auctioning, held once every three years, funds basic civic facilities. The department is yet to announce further steps.