DADU, May 9: Nuclear chemist and a professor of chemistry at the University of Sindh, Dr Mohammad Yar Khuhawar, has said that non-release of water downstream of Kotri Barrage has caused an increase in salt levels in river water and led to large-scale death of small fish.

Mr Khuhawar told journalists here on Monday that salt level had increased in water pooled in a small quantity at different places on the riverbed. The same water was used by animals for bathing and was also being supplied to residents of Kotri town, parts of Latifabad and scattered villages on the river bank.

The river water was not fit for human consumption and it would spread waterborne diseases.

Ghulam Qadir Mallah, a fishermen living in an area downstream Kotri, complained that after last year's super flood, water was released downstream Kotri only once or two twice.

The in pools at different places on the riverbed had stagnated and a large number of small fish had died, he said.

Mohammad Usman Mallah, another fisherman, said that if required water was not released downstream Kotri seed of fish would die.

Executive Engineer of Kotri Barrage Syed Noor Hussain Shah said that according to 1991 water accord, 10 million acre feet water should be released downstream Kotri every year.

He said that they were not receiving complete share of water at the Kotri barrage. They received 70 per cent share of water, which was released into canals, he said.

Presently, he said, water flow at Kotri barrage upstream was 5,200 cusecs.

Former district nazim of Jamshoro Malik Asad Sikandar demanded that the government should release complete share of water to Kotri barrage and release water to downstream Kotri for drinking purposes.

He said that Kotri and other parts of Jamshoro district were using river water for drinking purposes hence it was a must that freshwater should be released to downstream Kotri.