Dead fish are floating along a 15-kilometer stretch of the Meghna River in the Chandpur region.

Dead fish are floating along a 15-kilometer stretch of the Meghna River in the Chandpur region.

A large number of dead fish and aquatic animals are washing up on the banks of the Meghna River. This was observed on Sunday morning in the Ekhlaspur area of Matlab Uttar Upazila, Chandpur.   Photo: Prothom Alo.

In the Matlab North upazila of Chandpur, a large number of fish, snakes, frogs, and other aquatic animals have been found dead, floating along a stretch of about 15 kilometers of the Meghna River, from Ekhlaspur to Chhataki. The current and waves in the river have caused these dead animals to accumulate along the shore, forming heaps. This phenomenon has been occurring for the past week. As a result, local fish species and other aquatic life are facing a severe threat. Additionally, the balance of the environment is being disrupted.

According to the local fisheries officer, the industrial waste from factories in Narayanganj and Munshiganj is severely polluting the Meghna River. As a result, the oxygen levels in the water have significantly dropped, leading to this disaster.

This Sunday morning, dead fish were observed along the riverbanks and shores in various areas, including Ekhlaspur, Char Kali, Baburbazar, Dashani, Chhataki, Shatnol, Mohanpur, and Ekhlaspur in the Matlab North upazila. Numerous dead native fish species were floating in the middle and on one side of the river. The current and waves have caused these dead fish to accumulate on the shores. The dead fish found include Chewa, Seleng, Med, Shrimp, Iyer, Kanchki, Bailah, Chapila, etc. Additionally, some dead aquatic creatures were also found.

Local residents report that dead fish and aquatic animals have been floating along a stretch of nearly 15 kilometers from Ekhlaspur to Chhataki. The accumulation of these dead animals has worsened water pollution, and a strong foul odor has spread throughout the area. As a result, the residents near the riverbanks are facing environmental pollution. Some local children and residents have even started collecting the dead fish from the riverbanks and taking them home.

Mohammad Shanto, a resident of Shatnol area, said that for the past week, a large number of dead fish have been accumulating along the Meghna River's shore. The stench from the dead fish has polluted the surrounding environment. The increasing number of dead fish in the water has exacerbated the pollution. The combination of the water and dead animals' stench is disrupting the normal life of the people in the vicinity, putting them at serious health risks.

The headmaster of Char Kalaiya High School, Md. Dalil Uddin, stated that the way dead fish are floating in the Meghna River recently indicates that local fish species are at risk of extinction. If this continues, aquatic life and biodiversity will be severely impacted. It is urgent to identify the main cause of this situation, and halting water pollution is extremely important.

According to the upazila fisheries officer, Vijay Kumar Das, waste from factories in Munshiganj and Narayanganj is being dumped into local rivers. This contaminated water then mixes with the Meghna River, polluting the freshwater. As a result, the pH and ammonia levels in the water have significantly increased, reducing the oxygen levels. The lack of oxygen and excessive pollution are believed to be the primary reasons for the large-scale death of fish and other aquatic animals. An investigation is underway, and water samples have been collected and will be sent to Dhaka for testing.