From September 6th to September 8th, the mass fish deaths on the Tra Khuc River, the section from Tra Khuc 2 bridge to the upslope dam downstream of the Tra Khuc River, Truong Quang Trong ward (Quang Ngai), have caused a stench, affecting the environment in residential areas living along both banks of the river.
The mass fish deaths not only cause odors and environmental pollution but also threaten the aquatic ecosystem and affect the lives of people living along the river.
On the morning of September 8, Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Ha - Head of Professional Department, Sub-Department of Fisheries (Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Ngai province) came to the scene to inspect and clarify the cause of fish deaths.
According to reporters' records, many fish died in the riverside alluvial areas of Thien An residential group. The area where fish died was mainly sand troughs on alluvial grounds along the river, where people grow watermelons. Most of the dead fish were tilapia, carp, carp and crabs, shrimp, eels, snails...
According to people in Thien An residential group, dead fish are in the process of decomposition, emitting a fishy smell. Some areas of alluvial grounds still have stagnant water and many types of fish are still alive, but in just one or two days this area will dry up, and the situation of dead fish may become more frequent.
Previously, on July 7, the downstream Tra Khuc river dam was operated to store water and test synchronously the construction equipment. After operation, the water level of the Tra Khuc river rose, creating a landscape on both banks of the river after many years of drought. On September 5, the unit operating the downstream Tra Khuc river dam opened the valves to gradually lower the upstream water level, bringing the flow back to its natural state.
After the dam started operating and discharging water, the river water level receded rapidly, causing fish to not have time to move to deep water areas and get stranded, which may be one of the reasons leading to mass fish deaths.
Previously, on September 4, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Ngai province released hundreds of kilograms of fish seeds into the Tra Khuc River to regenerate aquatic resources after the riverbed was waterlogged.
