'Fish deaths in Bhadra river due to depletion of oxygen'

Bangalore, Jan 5 (UNI) Large number of fish deaths reported in river Bhadra in Karnataka was due to the sudden depletion of dissolved oxygen level in the water, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board said today.

Fish mortality was observed in the river at Bhadravathi in Shimoga district since yesterday and officers of the Board and the Fisheries Department had conducted investigations to ascertain the cause.

Oxygen depletion was primarily due to a lean flow in the river and discharge of sewage and effluents from the industrial city. In order to overcome the situation, arrangements were being made for release of water from Gundi anaicut. Once the water flow improved, the situation was expected to be normal, the Board said in a release here.

UNI