Durgam Cheruvu reports fish deaths again in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: Dead fish have again been found floating in Durgam Cheruvu for the past week, creating a stench along the banks. Officials of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board had earlier taken steps to prevent sewage and waste from entering the lake. Sewage treatment plants (STPs) were built to ensure only treated water reached Durgam Cheruvu.

Despite these measures, fish deaths were reported about 18 months ago, prompting officials to strengthen sewage diversion. A High Court-appointed committee also studied the pollution issue and submitted its findings.

Polluted water inflow suspected after recent rains

After recent heavy rains, however, large volumes of floodwater from surrounding areas have entered the lake. Normally, fresh inflows should improve oxygen levels and support fish growth. Instead, fish are dying in large numbers.

A trunk line built in 2016 was intended to keep sewage out of the lake. Waste from apartments, hotels and hospitals around the lake was diverted, and a new STP was recently commissioned to address earlier capacity shortages. Authorities even began restocking fish once water quality improved.

But fish deaths have continued for the past year and a half. With fresh reports of floating carcasses, experts suspect untreated sewage may have entered Durgam Cheruvu along with floodwaters.