As Southeast Asia grapples with record-breaking temperatures, Vietnam is witnessing an environmental catastrophe. A severe heatwave has led to the death of hundreds of thousands of fish in the Song May reservoir in southern Vietnam's Dong Nai province, highlighting the escalating climate crisis in the region.
The 300-hectare reservoir has been transformed into a grim spectacle, with dead fish carpeting the water's surface. The water level in the reservoir has reportedly dropped to a critical low due to weeks without rainfall, making it impossible for the marine life to survive.
A local resident from the Trang Bom district, identified as Nghia, described the dire situation to AFP, saying, "All the fish in the Song May reservoir died for lack of water." He added that the stench of the dead fish has disrupted their lives for the past ten days.
The reservoir's management had previously discharged water in an attempt to save crops downstream. However, the extreme heat and drought conditions have exacerbated the situation. Nghia explained that a pump was brought in to remove mud from the reservoir to provide more space for the fish, but the renovation efforts failed.
Local media reports suggest that as much as 200 tons of fish may have perished in the aftermath of these failed attempts. The Tuoi Tre newspaper reported that additional water, initially planned to be released into the reservoir for the fish, was instead diverted downstream due to the relentless heatwave.
The reservoir serves as a crucial water source for crops in the Trang Bom and Vinh Cuu districts. The mass fish die-off has not only disrupted the local ecosystem but also threatens the livelihood of farmers in these districts.
Authorities are currently investigating the incident and are working tirelessly to remove the dead fish. "We hope authorities will do their best to improve the situation," Nghia said.
The heatwave, which saw temperatures in Dong Nai province soar to nearly 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in April, is also affecting neighboring countries. In Cambodia, schools have been ordered to close early to protect students and teachers from the heat, while in Thailand, electricity usage has surged to new records as temperatures broke 44C.
More for you:
