Kolkata: The northern sector of West Bengal, particularly Jalpaiguri district, is grappling with a massive death toll of fish in the River Teesta. The district administration and the state fisheries department are on high alert as hundreds of lifeless fish line the riverbanks, prompting fears of an environmental crisis.
Experts speculate that the fish deaths may be a result of serious water pollution triggered by explosive materials carried by floodwaters following a recent flash flood in Sikkim. The state fisheries department is mobilizing a team of experts to Jalpaiguri to assess the situation, determine the exact reasons behind the fish deaths, and propose necessary remedial measures.
The aftermath of the Sikkim floods has introduced a new challenge for Jalpaiguri, with explosive materials, including mortar from various army bases in Sikkim, being transported downstream by the floodwaters. The sudden detonation of these explosive items on the banks of the Teesta River has resulted in severe injuries and fatalities among the local population.
In response to the crisis, the district administration has issued a public advisory urging locals to refrain from consuming dead fish due to potential health hazards, including the risk of food poisoning. The situation remains critical as authorities work to address the environmental and public health implications of this alarming event.