Mass Fish Deaths in Delhi's Yamuna Raise Alarm Over Pollution
Dead fish on Delhi’s Yamuna raises effluent concern again
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Thousands of dead fish have been found floating in the Najafgarh drain, which empties into the Yamuna River in southwest Delhi. Locals attribute the deaths to industrial effluents from Haryana, exacerbated by high temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels, raising serious environmental concerns.
- 01Thousands of dead fish have been reported in the Najafgarh drain, a major source of pollution for the Yamuna River.
- 02Local farmers suspect industrial effluents from Haryana are responsible for the fish deaths.
- 03The Najafgarh drain accounts for 68.71% of wastewater entering the Yamuna.
- 04High temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels are critical factors in the fish mortality.
- 05Previous incidents of fish deaths have seen little government action or change.
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Over the past five days, thousands of dead fish have surfaced in the Najafgarh drain, which is known as one of Delhi's most polluted stormwater drains that feeds into the Yamuna River. Villagers from Rawta village have reported that the water has turned darker and emitted a strong odor, likely due to industrial effluents released from the Haryana side. Ravi Phalswal, a local farmer, noted that the stench is noticeable and that the dead fish are even appearing in nearby fields due to high groundwater levels. This incident echoes previous occurrences, such as in July 2022, when fish deaths were attributed to toxic sediment rising due to heavy rainfall and untreated waste. Data from Delhi's environment department indicates that the Najafgarh drain contributes 68.71% of the wastewater entering the Yamuna, with experts suggesting that the recent rise in temperature and increased effluent concentration have led to a significant drop in dissolved oxygen levels, which is detrimental to aquatic life. A March analysis revealed that the biological oxygen demand (BOD) in the Najafgarh drain was 60 mg/l, exceeding the safe limit. Despite the alarming situation, officials from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee have not yet commented on the recent fish deaths.
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The pollution in the Najafgarh drain affects local ecosystems and agriculture, posing health risks to communities relying on the Yamuna for water.
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