Alappuzha: A worrying surge in marine mammal deaths has gripped Kerala’s Alappuzha coast, with six carcasses—four dolphins and two whales—washing ashore in less than a month, prompting concerns from environmental authorities and marine researchers.
The most recent cases were reported on June 23 and 24 at Challi near Punnapra, where two dolphins were found dead. Earlier incidents include a dolphin carcass at Valiyazheekkal beach on May 28, another at Pathiyankara on May 30, and two dead whales found at Purakkad on June 14 and 17. All carcasses were buried post-autopsy.
The pattern of deaths coincides with two maritime disasters: the sinking of the Liberian-flagged MSC Elsa 3 off the Thotappally coast on May 25, and the fire aboard the Singapore-flagged MV Wan Hai 503 off Kannur following an explosion on June 9. Both incidents raised fears of chemical and oil contamination, with containers—some believed to contain hazardous materials—washing ashore along Kerala and Tamil Nadu’s coastlines.
While no conclusive evidence has emerged yet, forest officials say they are awaiting forensic reports. Post-mortem findings so far have not revealed suspicious signs.
The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) conducted preliminary water assessments and found no major deviations in water quality or marine life. However, Senior Scientist Ratheesh Kumar R. noted that rough seas could be affecting dolphin and whale echolocation, possibly leading to increased ship collisions.
Though a direct link to the shipwrecks hasn’t been established, experts aren’t ruling out long-term ecological effects and are conducting ongoing studies to determine the cause.