COIMBATORE: Thousands of fish were found dead and floating in KRP dam in Krishnagiri raising speculation that they may have died due to high levels of pollution on Monday.

The KRP dam, which recently received fresh flow of water from Karnataka following heavy rains, remained foamy indicating discharge of industrial effluents through its course.

The floating dead fish by several tonnes raised a heavy stink in the dam’s surrounding areas.

“The first spell of rain may have caused a drop in oxygen levels in the water resulting in the death of fish. It is a natural phenomenon. However, samples of the dead fish and water have been sent for testing at Central Aquaculture Pathology Laboratory in Barur to ascertain the reason for mass death of the fish,” said K Rathinam, Additional Director of Fisheries, Krishnagiri to the media.

More than 500 families, who eke out a living by fishing in the dam, felt distressed over the death of a large number of fish.