Chandigarh, Jan. 16 -- Several fish were found dead in Sukhna Lake on Thursday after an oil spill at the regulatory end, triggering environmental alarm.

A team from the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC) rushed to the site to take stock of the situation and informed the UT chief engineer. Preliminary investigations indicated that the oil leak originated from motor boats operating in the lake, resulting in vast black oil slick in the ecologically fragile waterbody.

CPCC member secretary Saurabh Kumar said the team immediately inspected the area. "On Friday, officials from the UT engineering and forest departments will revisit the site. The oil will be pumped out from the affected portion of the lake to prevent further damage,"...