Thousands of fish died at Tasik Taman Danau Kota following continuous heavy rainfall that began on June 15, which caused a drop in dissolved oxygen levels and worsened water quality, officials said [1]. The prolonged rains introduced sediments and pollutants through drainage systems, further harming aquatic life [1, 2].
Dead fish were first noticed on June 16 and cleaned up by the afternoon of the same day. DBKL carried out clean-up operations, removing the dead fish and installing rubbish traps at the lake’s inlets to reduce further pollution [1, 2]. Water sampling and analysis were conducted jointly by DBKL and the Environment Department to determine the contributing factors behind the fish deaths [2].
Taman Danau Kota Lake serves as both a recreational park and a flood retention pond. This dual role makes it vulnerable to pollution and fish kills following heavy rains, according to DBKL [2]. "Water flowing into the lake from its surrounding catchment area typically carries sediment, organic matter, litter, and pollutants through the drainage system before discharging into the lake," DBKL explained [2].
The drop in dissolved oxygen levels caused by ongoing heavy rain and runoff is believed to be a primary cause of the mass fish deaths. DBKL said it will continue to monitor the lake’s condition closely. "We will carry out necessary follow-up actions to ensure the recreational area remains clean, safe and conducive for public use," the agency said [1].
