Many dead fish found on south Kerala coastline

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 24 (IANS) A large number of dead fish, primarily of the 'Klathi' variety, have been found over the past two days in the coastal area of the capital city and Kollam district.

Thiruvananthapuram Mayor C. Jayan Babu visited the seashore near the city airport and has asked the civic authorities to quickly bury the dead fish.

'We have alerted the health officials and the civic authorities has begun cleaning up the coastline,' Babu told reporters here Friday.

The residents have been complaining of foul smell for the past two days and several children are said to have developed breathing problems.

Locals point out that it is one particular variety of fish named 'Klathi' which have been spotted in huge numbers.

'The last time this happened was in 2004 and we have been told by experts that this happens because of a sudden change in weather conditions in the deep sea,' said a local fisherman.

Meanwhile state government officials attached to the fisheries department have been alerted and have been asked to find out what the possible reasons for the incident.