Several metric tons of foul-smelling dead fish and garbage have been floating atop Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal in Ho Chi Minh City since Tuesday, following the first downpours of this rainy season.

The situation is expected to worsen over the next few days.

The number of dead fish, mostly red tilapias, carp, and tilapias in the canal rose significantly on Wednesday afternoon, emitting a foul smell through canal-side neighborhoods.

Despite wearing face masks, many passers-by had to cover their noses due to the intense smell.

The head of the canal in Tan Binh District appeared to be most affected, with a carpet of garbage and dead fish causing the water to turn black.

Sanitation workers have so far managed to clear six metric tons of dead fish from the canal.  

Fish in the canal began showing signs of distress and swimming to the surface for air on Tuesday, a unit in charge of removing trash from the waterway told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday.

The massive number of dead fish was caused by garbage flowing into the canal from sewers, as well as rainwater from the first downpours of the rainy season, said the unit, which is under Ho Chi Minh City Urban Environment Company.

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