Social media has been abuzz with videos and pictures of the water in the Perak River changing colour.
While the sight of turquoise-like water might seem like a tropical dream, the presence of dead fish in the water may spark some concern.
That said, is it true that a stretch of Sungai Perak near Kampung Bukit Amarikan recently turned a greenish-blue hue?
Verdict:
TRUE
According to the Perak Minerals and Geoscience Department, a full laboratory analysis is being conducted on water from Sungai Perak near Kampung Bukit Amarikan in Gerik that turned a greenish-blue hue.
However, its director Nizarulikram Abdul Rahim said they were waiting for the laboratory findings before coming to any conclusion for the change in water colour.
He said there is a possibility the discoloration may be a natural phenomenon due to the mixing of river waters and sunlight reflecting off naturally occurring minerals.
"Based on general studies overseas, there is indication that lakes and rivers can appear bluish when sunlight is reflected and scattered in water containing minerals such as copper and aluminium silicate," he said.
"A similar phenomenon could have occurred when the usually murky Sungai Rui merged with Sungai Perak and the mixing waters and subsequent reactions caused the river to appear bluish," he added.
Nizarulikram said samples collected from the affected stretch, despite the river appearing greenish, were colourless and very clear when placed in sampling bottles.
However, he advised the public not to use the water for the time being.
"According to the Fisheries Department, laboratory tests on dead fish found in the area detected trace amounts of metals but concentrations are low and below the department's permissible limits," he said.
When contacted, Gerik OCPD Supt Abdul Samad Othman said three police reports were lodged on July 11 on the change in river water's colour.
Recently, videos and photos showing the colour change, along with dead fish at the location, had gone viral.
