Dead Fish Found in Meghalaya's Apha River Spark Pollution Fears

Shillong: Masses of dead fish are floating in the Apha River. Residents of Umkiang village in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya discovered the carcasses and raised an immediate alarm. They also found empty containers along the riverbank that likely held poisonous chemicals.

The water looks toxic. Authorities have not confirmed the exact cause of death yet. Locals say this marks the third consecutive year that fish have died in these waters. Nobody has faced consequences for these past incidents.

Villagers are now pushing the District Council to step in. They want a full investigation and swift action against whoever is dumping waste into the river. Some residents suspect a link between the pollution and illegal cross-border smuggling, though officials have provided no proof to back that claim.

The community relies on the river for their daily catch. They fear for their livelihoods and the health of the local ecosystem. Demanding accountability, one resident noted, "the cause of the fish deaths has not been officially established." The village is calling for urgent intervention to stop the cycle before it destroys the waterway for good.