Belagavi: The sun's fury in the state is increasing day by day. This intense heat is claiming the lives of not just humans, but also mute animals, birds, and aquatic life. In a tragic incident in Bailhongal taluk of Belagavi district, thousands of fish have died as a result of a lake drying up.

Background of the Incident

The tragedy occurred in a lake adjacent to Chikkabagewadi village in Bailhongal taluk. Over the past few days, temperatures have soared, causing the lake's water level to deplete completely. Due to the receding water levels, thousands of fish perished on the lake bed due to a lack of space to move and oxygen depletion.

Loss Worth Lakhs of Rupees

Shankaragouda Patil, a local farmer and fisheries entrepreneur, had been practicing fish farming in this lake for the last three to four years. This year, he had invested lakhs of rupees to release more than 50,000 fish into the lake. Now, with the sudden death of the fish, the owner is left utterly devastated.

Information from Locals

"The water in the lake has decreased significantly. Due to the accumulation of silt and the scorching heat, the water has become too hot, making it impossible for the fish to breathe. The fish struggled and died due to the lack of water," expressed the saddened locals.

Demand for Compensation

Shankaragouda Patil, who had put in immense hard work and even taken loans for fish farming, has now suffered a massive financial blow. "A whole year's worth of hard work has been lost to the heat. The government and concerned officials from the Fisheries Department must visit the spot, conduct an inspection, and provide suitable compensation for the loss," the distressed owner appealed.