Paradip: Suspected water pollution has taken a toll yet again on the aquatic species mainly fishes in water bodies near the port township in Jagatsinghpur district.

Motionless bodies of tonnes of fishes were spotted drifting along the Sahara, Athrabanki and Kaudia creeks on the outskirts of the township, while the stench smell emanating from the dead species fills the air of those localities.

Sometimes ago, a similar scenario of en masse death of the fish species had been reported. Even at that time, the matter had been brought to the notice of authorities concerned, but in vain. "The spectre of death has recurred again. It is going to spell disaster for those living on the fishing activities," said a member of the local fishermen communities.

"From time to time, this phenomenon of en masse dying of fishes is being reported. Industrial effluents have become the messenger of death for the fishes and other aquatic animals in the water channels and creeks near Paradip. The fish catch from the impure water bodies is dipping every year," said an inland fisherman, Rabindra Behera.

"It is quite apparent that water pollution has taken a heavy toll on the aquatic animal and fishes in the water bodies. Paradip has become an industrial hub. The discharge of industrial effluents has become a common note here. As a result, the water contents in the creeks have got severely polluted," alleged environment activist Sanjay Pradhan.

The Odisha State Pollution Control Board officials have collected the samples of dead species and the polluted water. "The samples have been sent to Bhubaneswar for laboratory test. The en masse death of fishes might have been because of the presence of toxic substances in water. However, we are waiting for the laboratory test report before reaching to a conclusion," said the board's regional officer Mukesh Mahaling.