States » EastPosted at: Nov 7 2026 10:51PM


West Bengal Pollution Control Board collects water, soil and dead fish samples from Sankosh

Siliguri, Nov 7 (UNI) Ahead of the Kali Puja festivities, an eight-member team of the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (PCB) on Saturday collected samples of water, soil and dead fish from the Sankosh River in Kumargram in Alipurduar district to ascertain the reasons behind the large-scale death of fish following a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Bhutan on October 29.
It may be recalled that a glacial lake outburst occurred in Bhutan at around 8.15 pm on October 29, triggering flooding downstream towards the Sankosh. Changes in the water level were noticed from October 30, while large numbers of dead fish were subsequently reported in the river, particularly in the early hours of October 31.
The sampling exercise was undertaken following the intervention of State Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon, who had drawn the attention of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari to the incident and sought an investigation into the possible causes of the mass mortality of fish. The Chief Minister subsequently directed that the matter be examined.
The eight-member team, accompanied by Oraon, visited the affected stretch of the river and collected samples for laboratory analysis. The team was led by Pollution Control Board official Prashant Kumar Majhi.
Oraon said the water in the Sankosh was still turbid and its suitability for use needed to be examined. He said the immediate priority was to ascertain the reasons behind the death of tonnes of fish and assess the present condition of the river so that normal ecological conditions could be restored.
"Almost all the fish have disappeared from the river following the incident. The fishermen who depend on the Sankosh for their livelihood have also been affected. We need to examine whether they can be compensated for their losses," the minister said.
He added that the possibility of releasing fish fingerlings into the river could also be explored once the water quality was found to be suitable and the river had returned to normal conditions.
Explaining the scientific aspects of the investigation, a PCB official said the collected samples would undergo detailed water and soil tests to identify the possible reasons behind the fish deaths.
The investigation would examine whether the GLOF-induced flooding had caused a sudden fall in water temperature, which could be fatal to fish. The team would also assess the pH level, dissolved oxygen content and the possible presence of industrial waste or chemicals such as dolomite and ammonia in the water.
Majhi said the possibility of fish dying due to excessive silt and rock particles carried by the floodwater would also be examined. Such suspended particles can enter the gills of fish and cause mortality. Tests would also include an examination of metals and other possible contaminants.
"The actual cause of the fish deaths can be established only after analysing the water and soil samples. The analysis will also help us understand the present condition of the river," he said, adding that the report would take another six to seven days to prepare.
The artificial lake formed behind the landslide dam at Sintaphu was breached a few days ago, releasing water downstream towards the Sankosh. According to information received, several smaller artificial lakes have also formed along the river.
The incident has raised concerns among residents and fishing communities along the river, prompting the state government to initiate an examination of the water quality and the ecological impact of the flood. UNI MBN NST
Tags: #West Bengal Pollution Control Board collects water# soil and dead fish samples from Sankosh
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