PHIDIM: Floods and landslides triggered by rains in Tamor River have led to the death of tonnes of fish in the river.

People were seen crowding many places of Terhathum, Panchthar and Dhankuta through which the Tamor flows to catch fish from early morning today.

People from Majhi and Tamang community at Majhitar near Panchthar headquarters Phidim were busy catching fish from the wee hours. They had distributed fish to

people coming from afar to see the floods, for free. Local Jas Bahadur Majhi said they had distributed around two tonnes fish free to the people. Fish collected at Majhitar area were transported to headquarters Phidim and other areas.

Fish traders said that mass death of fish had caused the price to fall sharply. Fish sold at Rs 150 per kg against yesterday’s Rs 600. “It was difficult to get fish even at Rs 600 till yesterday. But, fish is abundant at Rs 150,” Proprietor Bimal Shrestha of Hotel Ajima said.

Meanwhile, a fish weighing 17 kg was caught from the Tamor River. Local Jung Rai had brought the fish to the headquarters for sale. The fish has large teeth and long whiskers. Locals named it Limbuni.