Thoothukudi
Dozens of fish perished after an alleged acidic waste dump into the Peikulam tank near Sawyerpuram early Monday morning.
Dead fish started floating on the surface of water in the tank, which is now at half its capacity. Water released from the Tamirabarani river reached here 20 days ago.
Sub-Collector M.S. Prasanth said that acid had been dumped “for sure”. Samples of water in Peikulam and the nearby Kulayan Karisalkulam were collected by officials.
“The pH was found to be above seven, which indicates that the water is alkaline,” he said. The acid had gotten diluted as it was a large tank, he added.
He said that the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board had taken samples of the water and Fisheries Department had taken samples of fish.
Some sludge was found on the Peikulam bridge as well. Fire and Rescue Services personnel flushed it away using water cannons.
A Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) official said that the number of fish that died had not been ascertained. “A number of dead fish, including large ones, could have died,” he said.
P. Ponraj, president of Servaikkaranmadam Farmers’ Association, said that dead fish came along with the water when they opened the taps for irrigation. “Feet turned itchy after people walked on the bridge. Water pipes had also been corroded.”
An FIR has been registered. The Sub-Collector, along with officials from the TNPCB, Fisheries Department, Fire and Rescue Services, police personnel, inspected the spot.