Fish dying as drought continues in southern Iraq

Various dead fish are seen in the Micer Lake of Maysan Governorate of Amarah, Iraq on July 5, 2023 [Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu Agency]

A person is on a boat around dead fish in the Micer Lake of Maysan Governorate of Amarah, Iraq on July 5, 2023 [Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu Agency]

A person is on a boat around dead fish in the Micer Lake of Maysan Governorate of Amarah, Iraq on July 5, 2023 [Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu Agency]

Various dead fish are seen in the Micer Lake of Maysan Governorate of Amarah, Iraq on July 5, 2023 [Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu Agency]

A person looks at the dead fish in the Micer Lake of Maysan Governorate of Amarah, Iraq on July 5, 2023 [Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu Agency]

Various dead fish are seen on a rock in the Micer Lake of Maysan Governorate of Amarah, Iraq on July 5, 2023 [Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu Agency]

A person holds dead fish in Maysan Governorate of Amarah, Iraq on July 5, 2023 [Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu Agency]

A person walks around dead fish in the Micer Lake of Maysan Governorate of Amarah, Iraq on July 5, 2023 [Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu Agency]

A person is on a boat around dead fish in the Micer Lake of Maysan Governorate of Amarah, Iraq on July 5, 2023 [Haidar Mohammed Ali/Anadolu Agency]

Thousands of fish perished due to the lack of oxygen, as water levels fell drastically in the Al-Ezz River in Maysan, southern Iraq, near the Iranian border, Anadolu Agency reports.

The local fishing industry, a significant source of income for the area’s residents, has been hit hard by the rising temperatures and shrinking water levels.

When fish died as a result of the falling water flow in the Al-Ezz River, locals reported their concerns to authorities.

The Iraqi government has launched an investigation into the fish deaths.​​​​

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