Guwahati, June 28: Scores of dead fish were found floating in the Dighalipukhuri tank in Guwahati on Sunday.

Following the reporting of this incident by the media, Minister for Fisheries, Parimal Suklabaidya directed the officials of the department to visit the site and ascertain the cause behind the mass death of fish.

Officials of the department after examination of the collected samples of the dead fish and the waterbody found that dissolved oxygen depletion in the tank coupled with high organic load were the causes behind the death of fish.

“Fish mortality was due to sudden dip in oxygen level and high organic load in the tank. Departmental officers after examination found deaths of fish is not due to poisoning but environmental degradation,” said Suklabaidya.

The department, as a short term measure, has increased the oxygen level in water by showering water through pump and creating wave action through mechanised boats.