In Bahraich, the arrival of the rainy season brings the biggest headache for fish farmers. During these weeks, dirty water from outside seeps into ponds, and without proper care, farmers can suffer serious losses. The real question is how to look after a pond so the fish stay safe and months of hard work are not wiped out.
Once the monsoon sets in, ponds need close attention. The water level can rise suddenly, the pH balance gets thrown off, and infestations of insects and pests increase. This is the time when salty, dirty water keeps flowing into the pond. After a while the entire pond becomes contaminated and the fish begin to die, which is why extreme caution is needed in these months.
Strengthen the embankment before the rains
The first step in protecting a pond during the monsoon is reinforcing the embankment. If the bund is low or weak, outside water mixes into the pond easily and throws the whole system off balance. A mesh or net should also be fixed at the pond's outlet, which helps keep debris under control. To hold the water's pH between 7.5 and 8.5, the use of lime is considered essential.
Guarding against low oxygen and disease
To prevent a shortage of oxygen in the water, an aerator should be used, and the government is even offering a subsidy on it. To protect the fish from disease, potassium permanganate should be sprayed, but only after consulting a doctor. Experts also point out that when the sky is heavily overcast, the amount of feed given to the fish should be reduced.
Reach out to the department if trouble grows
If, despite doing everything during the rainy season, the situation still feels out of hand and losses continue even after following all these measures, farmers should not delay. In such a case they should immediately contact the fisheries department for help so that the damage can be limited in time.
