Fishermen have started removing water hyacinth from River Cauvery at Pallipalayam, as officials failed to do so.
Due to low water level at Stanley Reservoir in Mettur, discharge of water for irrigation was stopped earlier. But due to the mixing of effluents from dyeing units in the area, the colour of water has turned black.
Stench emanates from the water. Fishermen have been demanding the removal of hyacinth so that fishes could survive. They said that they had lost their livelihood for the last six months as there was no water in the river. No action was taken on their petition for removal of hyacinth. As water level in the river has improved in the recent rain, fish population was likely to grow. They said that they removed the weed so that their livelihood was retained.
