KUALA LUMPUR – Prolonged heavy rainfall that caused an inflow of pollutants are believed to be behind the recent mass fish deaths at Tasik Taman Danau Kota, according to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
The city authority said preliminary investigations and site monitoring were conducted after reports surfaced of large numbers of dead fish floating in the lake.
Tasik Taman Danau Kota serves as both a recreational park and a flood retention pond. Similar incidents have occurred at several lakes and retention ponds across Kuala Lumpur, particularly following periods of continuous heavy rain.
“Water flowing into the lake from surrounding catchment areas typically carries sediment, organic matter, rubbish and other pollutants through the drainage system entering the lake,” DBKL said in a statement to Scoop.
Based on its initial assessment, it believes the fish kills were triggered by a combination of factors linked to recent weather conditions.
“The incident is believed to have been caused by a reduction in dissolved oxygen levels, changes in water quality and the inflow of sediment and pollutants into the lake,” it said.
DBKL added that such conditions can place considerable stress on aquatic life and threaten the survival of fish.
To prevent further deterioration, clean-up operations were launched immediately to remove the fish carcasses from the water.
“The removal works were undertaken to prevent more serious water pollution, reduce potential public health risks and ensure the comfort of visitors,” the statement said.
The authority has also installed rubbish traps at the lake’s inlet points to curb the entry of floating waste and other contaminants.
Meanwhile, water samples were collected yesterday (June 16) in collaboration with the Federal Territories Department of Environment to determine the precise factors that contributed to the incident.
The fish kill drew widespread attention after images and videos showing thousands of fish carcasses covering parts of the lake surface circulated on social media, prompting concerns among residents over the foul smell and the condition of the water.
A Threads user, @alifishakayob, said a formal complaint had been lodged with DBKL and called for swift action to address the issue.
“We hope DBKL will conduct an immediate investigation, carry out clean-up works and take the necessary measures to control pollution in the interest of public health and environmental sustainability,” the user wrote.
The post also included what was said to be a complaint reference number linked to the report submitted to the local authority.
DBKL said it would continue monitoring the lake and take further action where necessary to ensure the recreational area remains safe, clean and suitable for public use. – June 17, 2026