What caused black water, dead fish in Melaka River, asks MNS

The Melaka River turned black and dead tilapia were found along a 7km stretch earlier this week. (Bernama pic.)

MELAKA: The Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) has called on the Melaka government to find out the cause of the black water and several thousand dead fish in Melaka River recently.

MNS president Ahmad Ismail said if the phenomenon were to recur, the authorities should have the answers on what happened and the ways to overcome it.

“Is it because of the meeting of sea and river water as there is no water gate and is it the first time? They have to find the cause and overcome the problems.

“The Melaka Drainage and Irrigation Department and the Department of Environment should have the answers of what caused the dead fish and black water,” he told Bernama.

The water in Melaka River turned black with a foul odour and dead fish were found especially in Taman Rempah here on Sunday and Monday.

It was also reported that dead tilapia fish were found along 7km of the river all the way to Melaka Sentral.

Yesterday, Chief Minister Adly Zahari said a special committee has been set up to look into the problems to stop them from occurring again in future. - FMT