Mass fish deaths in Sungai Padang Kijang trigger DOE probe

KOTA BHARU, June 12 — The Kelantan Department of Environment (DOE) has launched an investigation and monitoring operation at Sungai Padang Kijang near Kampung Alor Pasir here following complaints over a large number of fish found floating before dying in the river.

The state DOE deputy director Mohamad Zamzani Ibrahim said the department dispatched two officers to the location immediately after receiving the complaints to assess the situation and collect river water samples for analysis.

“Preliminary inspections were conducted using YSI ProDSS equipment to obtain in-situ water quality parameter readings as an initial assessment of the river’s condition,” he told Bernama yesterday.

He said drones were also used to identify any activities or possible causes that may have contributed to changes in the river’s water condition.

According to him, samples obtained from the river would be sent to the Chemistry Department to determine their contents and assess the water quality in greater detail.

Mohamad Zamzani said further investigations were ongoing to identify the actual cause of the incident, and urged members of the public to provide information to the authorities if they detect any suspicious activities in the affected river area.

Meanwhile, a Bernama survey in Tanah Merah found that fish carcasses were still present along the riverbank, while several residents were seen taking the opportunity to cast nets for fish. — Bernama