Fishing communities in Ennore (an industrial coastal area north of Chennai on India's southeastern coast) have blocked roads and staged demonstrations after large numbers of fish were found dead and floating in the Kosasthalaiyar river on 16 August 2026. Fisherfolk from eight villages say the unprecedented die-off, affecting multiple species including prawns and crabs, is likely caused by chemical waste discharge into the river, and are demanding that authorities collect water and fish samples for analysis. The incident highlights longstanding pollution concerns in the Ennore estuary, which has faced chronic contamination from industrial effluents, thermal discharges, and fly ash, with protesters warning the disaster threatens the livelihoods of thousands who depend on the river's fisheries.