ISLAMABAD/SYDNEY: Millions of dead fish were discovered in a river in a small town in Australia. The widespread fish deaths were noted on Friday morning in Menindee in New South Wales (NSW).
According to the state’s river authority, a continuous heatwave reportedly affected the Darling-Baaka River. Although the town has recently seen massive fish mortality, locals claim this is the most significant fish death incident ever involving the area.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) said that the heatwave added “extra stress on a system that has undergone difficult circumstances from widespread flooding” in a Facebook post. Because of climate change brought on by humans, heat waves are now more frequent, powerful, and stay longer.
The world has already warmed by around 1.1C since the industrial era began, and temperatures will keep rising unless governments throughout the globe make severe cuts to emissions.
Menindee resident Graeme McCrabb characterized the fatalities as “surreal” in an interview with the BBC. He said, “It will probably be a bit more confronting today.” The community, he continued, anticipated that additional fish would perish as the already-decomposing fish reduced the water’s oxygen supply.
Five hundred people are living in the remote New South Wales town. The Murray Darling Basin, Australia’s most extensive river system, includes the Darling-Baaka River. McCrabb, NSW DPI, said the local population was distressed by fish deaths.
“You can just picture letting a fish sit in your kitchen to decay with all the doors closed and no air conditioning, and we’ve got millions of them,” the speaker said. On Saturday, Menindee’s temperature was predicted to hit 41C.
Locals in the outlying town depend on the Darling-Baaka for water supplies, he continued, adding that “we utilize water for washing and showering in,” thus people won’t be able to use that water for those fundamental necessities once more.
“Over time, those people will not be able to use that water for domestic consumption, which is shameful”.
This week’s fish deaths illuminate the problems facing the Murray Darling Basin. Drought and increased human use have impacted the condition of the Murray Darling ecosystem.
According to the Murray Darling Basin Authority, businesses, cities, and agriculture have used water from the river system, causing the river to flow less freely.
The Basin is reportedly vulnerable to fires and droughts because of its highly changeable climate and propensity for extreme weather occurrences. A $13 billion plan was started in 2012 to bring it back to a healthier level and prevent the river from drying up.
The NSW DPI announced that it would collaborate with officials to address the most recent development and identify the main factors that led to the deaths.
