The Rampally lake in Hyderabad witnessed a major fish kill phenomenon on Sunday with nearly 30,000 fish floating up the water surface. Authorities confirmed that several fish species, including rohu, bochha (katla), bangaru theega and koramenu (red snapper), were found floating on the 110 acre lake, triggering concerns over rising pollution. A week back, a fish kill was reported at Shamirpet Lake where over 40,000 fish were found floating on the water surface. A similar case killed over 20,000 fishes in Medchal lake. Authorities have blamed the rising mercury level, and lack of trees along the lake as the primary causes of the fish kill. “Since fish are very sensitive and delicate, high temperatures make it difficult for them to survive. Beside this, the dissolved level of oxygen in water is less,“ said E Balaiah, district fisheries officer, Medak, who visited the spot to take stock of the situation. Authorities have advised fishermen to clean up the lake using traditional lime, salt and turmeric mix, apart from removing all the dead fish and harvesting the estimated 1lakh live fish that might still be in the lake. However, experts have warned that consumption of the surviving fish could be harmful for health. Some fishermen, who reside along the waterbody , said Rampally lake is connected to Kapra and Nagaram lakes, which intensifies the pollution problem.