DONG NAI, Vietnam – A brutal heatwave gripping Southeast Asia has led to a large-scale ecological disaster in southern Vietnam. Hundreds of thousands of fish have died in the Song May reservoir, located in Dong Nai province. Locals and media reports point to the scorching temperatures and potential mismanagement of the reservoir as the culprits behind this tragedy.

The region has been experiencing weeks of relentless heat, with temperatures soaring close to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Coupled with the absence of rainfall, this has caused water levels in the Song May reservoir to plummet.

“All the fish in the reservoir died for lack of water,” lamented Nghia, a resident of Trang Bom district, to AFP. “Our life has been turned upside down over the past 10 days because of the smell.”

The situation has been further complicated by allegations of mismanagement. Some reports claim that the company responsible for overseeing the reservoir released water to prioritize downstream crops during the drought. This decision, if true, would have significantly reduced the available water for the fish population.

Authorities are currently investigating the incident and working to remove the massive amount of dead fish from the reservoir. This event serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of ecosystems in the face of extreme weather events. It also raises questions about water management strategies during periods of drought.

The Vietnamese government is likely to face pressure to ensure sustainable water management practices and mitigate the impact of future heatwaves on the country’s vital ecosystems.