Dead fish found floating in Ambattur surplus canal

Chennai: Mass death of fish in Ambattur surplus canal in the Ambattur Industrial Estate area has triggered panic in the neighbourhood, as it has only been a couple of days since two people died due to suspected water contamination in Pallavaram. The Ambattur surplus canal joins the Korattur lake.Schools of dead fish were found floating in the canal near the construction of the new Microsoft office on Saturday, causing concern among locals because many residents fish in the Ambattur lake using nets during the northeast monsoon season."The dissolved oxygen could have decreased in the water, potentially leading to the death of fish," said Sekharan from the Korattur Aeri Padhukappu Makkal Iyakkam.National Green Tribunal (southern bench) has time and again rapped the local govt and Metrowater, directing them to plug illegal sewage connections in the Ambattur and Korattur area for at least two years now.When TOI contacted an official from the water resources department, he said, "we closed the four shutters in the Ambattur lake earlier this week, which might have led to the death of some fish. There is nothing to worry." The official said GCC was building a retaining wall where the Ambattur surplus canal diverges into two channels, and they have created a temporary bund made of earth. "Stagnant water because of this work may have also led to fish dying," said the official.