Hundreds of fish found dead in Lower Lake; authorities to investigate

Bhopal: Hundreds of fish were found dead on Sunday along the banks of Lower Lake (Chhota Talab), and local residents reported heaps of carcasses and a noticeable odor by evening.Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) lake‑conservation officials were informed late in the evening, and Superintending Engineer Santosh Gupta visited the site and alerted senior authorities.

When contacted Gupta did not respond.Preliminary observations point to a sudden drop in dissolved oxygen as a likely cause, though officials said they will also test for pollutants. A team from the MP Pollution Control Board is scheduled to collect water samples and carry out an investigation on Monday.A similar die‑off was recorded seven years ago, making the recurrence notable but not unprecedented. BMC Lake Conservation Cell plans to remove the dead fish on Monday morning to reduce the smell and clear the shoreline.Officials stressed that a thorough investigation is needed before a definitive cause is announced and said measures to monitor water quality and prevent future incidents would be considered based on the PCB’s findings. Lower Lake is not utilized for drinking.