A significant depletion of fish population in a reservoir in Dong Nai province, southern Vietnam, has drawn attention to the escalating temperatures across Southeast Asia. Fishermen are grappling with gathering hundreds of thousands of deceased fish that now cover the 300-hectare Song May reservoir amid an intense heatwave.
The numerous dead fish in a reservoir in southern Vietnam could amount to 200 tons, according to local media. AFP/Getty Images
In April, a severe drought gripped the southern regions of Vietnam, with temperatures reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), posing challenges for farmers in sustaining their crops. Both locals and media outlets attributed the fish die-off to the combination of drought, the relentless heatwave, and issues related to reservoir management.
Recent photographs depict fish piled on each other, appearing dried out and disintegrated. According to reports from AFP, the water levels in the reservoir had plummeted due to weeks of no rainfall, leaving insufficient habitat for the fish to survive. Residents like Nghia from Trang Bom district lamented the situation, emphasizing that the fish perished due to water scarcity, causing distressing odours in the area.
A cluster of dried, perished fish from Song May reservoir. AFP/Getty Images
Despite concerted efforts by locals using buckets and nets, the daunting task of clearing the vast number of dead fish seems overwhelming. Reports from AFP suggest that up to 200 tons of fish may have perished following a failed reservoir renovation attempt. Images depict a dry, cracked, and muddy reservoir bed, with clusters of dead fish floating in the remaining water.
The dried-up Song May reservoir bed. AFP/Getty Images
Nghia mentioned that the reservoir’s renovation efforts included using a pump to remove mud, presumably to create more space for the fish. The reservoir serves as a water source for crops in Trang Bom and Vinh Cuu districts, with authorities previously releasing water downstream to safeguard these crops, as recounted by Nghia.
However, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported that the planned release of extra water into the reservoir for the fish was diverted downstream due to the unyielding heatwave. Authorities are investigating the mass fish mortality event while ongoing efforts are made to clear the reservoir of the deceased fish.