Tons of Fish Dead After River Filled with Mud in West Sumatra

TheIndonesia.co - At least three tons of fish were found dead in Batang Lubuk Landur river in West Pasaman district, West Sumatra, after the river was filled with mud since Monday.

Acting head of Pasaman fishery office Zulfi Agus confirmed that the fishes were dead because the river was polluted with mud resulted from landslide.

“Based on current data, about three tons of Tor tambroides are dead because mud from landslide filled the river upstream,” Agus said on Tuesday, March 1, as reported by Antara.

The muddy water, he said, impacted the gills and caused the mass death.

Fishes that are still alive, meanwhile, are being evacuated to Batang Lubuk Landur river’s tributary.

“Our team has assessed the water to acclimate the remaining fishes, and we found that the quality is good,” Agus added. He also explained that water quality of the main river is normal, but it’s still muddy.

West Pasaman regent Hamsuardi has visited the location and ordered the office to rescue fishes that are still alive.

Previously, on February 25, the regency was hit with a 6.2 magnitude earthquake. However, it hasn’t been confirmed whether the mud-filled river is related to the previous disaster.