Tamil Nadu: Industry, trade hit by heavy rains

Chennai, Nov 22: Torrential rains lashing several parts of Tamil Nadu not only crippled normal life but also caused crores of rupees loss to the economy with services in commercial establishments, transport of goods and vegetables being hit hard.

As several low-lying areas were flooded and some still remaining waterlogged due to the heavy rains in the last few weeks under the active north east monsoon, the economy has been affected, traders said.

Several parts of the state, particularly Cuddalore district, Chennai city and suburbs, experienced very heavy rains for a few days from November 9, resulting in largescale flooding.

Chennai and adjoining Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts, which encompasses most part of city suburbs, were battered by heavy downpour from November 13, marooning people in various localities.

The impact has been more pronounced and immediate on the vegetable and fruit markets in the city with supplies dwindling due to the disruption in transport of goods.

"Supply of vegetables predominantly, those coming from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, were hit as lorries were stuck in many places. On an average 3,000 lorries come to supply vegetables. I can say at least 25 per cent of supply has been hit due to the rains," Koyambedu Vegetable Market Association Secretary Chandran said.

As lorries were not able to supply goods due to several areas getting waterlogged, prices of vegetables, including beans, tomatos and drumstick shot up, he said.

"We are unable to get the supply. Since rainfall stopped a few days ago, we expect supply to resume normally in the coming days," he said.

The transportation industry particularly movement of inter-city and intra-city buses had also been hit badly due to the heavy rainfall. According to sources in the bus sector, about Rs 150 crore worth of business was lost due to rains.

PTI