Sullia: The region is experiencing the worst ever drought and apart from plants and animal, the other worst victims of the drought have been the fish, which have been dying a silent death.

River Payaswini, the lifeline of the region is the home for thousands of fish and other aquatic species.

With the river drying up fast, the fish have taken refuge in waterholes and in most parts of the river, the dry carcass of the fish are up, capturing the intensity of the drought.

While the water in the waterholes too are drying up fast, in a desperate attempt the Sullia Town Panchayat has come as saviour for the aquatic life.

Even in this period of crisis, the local administration spared a thought to save the fish from dying and in a very humane gesture; sincere efforts are being made to preserve the fish in the water body near pump house by spraying water from nearby ponds using pipes.

Every summer the town panchyath used to construct a barrage (only for drinking water) near Kallumuttu across river Payaswini to store water in a tank nearby and supply the same to 20,000 residents of Sullia town. Like in the past, it has put up two pumpsets of 20 HP each and 1 pumpset of 5 HP for this purpose during this summer. The situation became worse as the water levels started receding a month ago with no rains in the catchment areas of the river. This had cascading effect on the tanks, wells and bore wells in the vicinity. The Town Panchayath then resorted to supplying water every alternate day – 1.7 MLD.

Though Sullia received light showers few days ago, the situation has not improved due to the intensity of the heat.

According to TP President Prakash Hegde, they will have no other option but to stop the water supply to the entire town population relying on river water as the river looks like a playground now.

Very low water levels has resulted in the short supply of oxygen to fish but attempts to save the fish fighting for life is a commendable move.