Alappuzha: The discovery of a dead dolphin near Tharayilkadavu in Arattupuzha has raised alarm among locals, coming close on the heels of cargo debris from the sunken MSC ELSA 3 washing ashore in the same area. The timing of these incidents has triggered concerns about potential chemical contamination in the region’s coastal waters.

Local CPI(M) leader Bineesh Dev confirmed that the forest department had arrived at the scene to conduct a postmortem examination of the dolphin. The exact cause of death remains unknown, but residents are worried about ecological damage and its implications for marine life and public health.

While officials await the postmortem results, environmental activists and fishermen are urging the authorities to investigate possible links between the shipwreck’s cargo and marine fatalities.