VARANASI, Nov. 1 -- The recent death of a large number of small fish along the banks of the Varuna river, between the Old Bridge and Nakkhi Ghat, was caused by low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in the water, according to regional pollution control officer Rohit Singh.

Singh said that water samples collected from various points in the river were tested at the Regional Pollution Control Office laboratory. The results showed dissolved oxygen levels of 0.5 mg/L at Nakkhi Ghat, 0.5 mg/L downstream, and 0.4 mg/L near the Old Bridge which is significantly below the healthy range of 6.5 to 8 mg/L.

"At first glance, the incident appears to have occurred due to low dissolved oxygen levels in the Varuna river," Singh stated.

He further noted that ...