Officials Race to Remove 30 Tons of Dead Fish
Authorities in Pathum Thani have removed over 30 tonnes of dead fish from Klong Song canal after the water turned putrid and began to smell. More than 50 boats and sludge‑sucking trucks were deployed to clear the floating carcasses along a seven‑kilometre stretch. The fish will be buried at a nearby landfill, and officials are increasing water flow to improve quality and prevent further deaths.
Officials met at Klong Song in Khlong Luang district, Pathum Thani, to devise a plan for tackling severe water pollution and mass fish deaths. Teams from the Thahokhlong and Khlong Luang municipalities, volunteers, and more than 50 boats worked along a seven‑kilometre stretch of the canal, using sludge‑sucking trucks to scoop dead fish from the surface. The collected fish, initially exceeding 30 tonnes, will be buried at a 27‑rai landfill site designated for flood‑related waste near Khlong Aen Song in Khlong Luang. Irrigation Department Deputy Director‑General Witaya Kaem‑ee said the agency is draining polluted water into the Rangsit‑Prayuraksa canal while monitoring downstream levels to avoid impacting residents. He added that opening sluice gates will increase water flow and oxygen levels, helping push out contaminated water and improve water quality. Provincial official Thepsuriya Sa‑ad explained that the governor ordered urgent action after the foul‑smelling water and massive fish die‑off appeared, coordinating with the Irrigation Department, Pollution Control Department, provincial administration, Khlong Luang municipality, and the district office. He noted that recent floodwaters from Nakhon Nayok and the release of water from Klong 8 forced authorities to delay drainage in the northern Rangsit canals, reducing circulation and causing the water to turn putrid. Agencies are now working with the Irrigation Department to accelerate drainage and control water levels in the northern Rangsit canals to prevent further impact on communities and to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.
