The usual cacophony was missing and hustle and bustle in Koyambedu market has been hit by the continuous downpour for the last two days. Loadmen were seen resting under the roof and goods lay covered in the shops.
“Our business has been hit hard by the rains. We hardly have a customer,” said Market Management Committee member K Jayaraman, a wholesale trader of fruits. “There has hardly been any business,” he rues while avoiding a query on the total loss during the rains.
The scene is similar in the vegetable market, which is full of filth and water. “The vegetable waste was not cleared properly on Tuesday. Workers are doing a half-hearted job,” said a trader as buffaloes were seen munching the waste inside the market.
During the last two days, arrival of the goods has shrunk nearly bly half.
"Inclement weather and warning of heavy rainfall on Wednesday has hit vegetable supplies with only 150 to 200 trucks entering the market," said Abdul Kader, secretary, Koyambedu Vegetable Wholesale Merchants Association. The rains did have an impact on price of Green chilies which is being sold at Rs 120 per kg. Earlier, it just cost Rs 70. “If the rain continues. It will have an impact on other vegetables also,” he explained.
Currently, vegetables like beans are being sold at Rs 120 per kg while that of tomatoe is Rs 40 per kg and ladies finger at Rs 35 to Rs 40 per kg. Prices haven't risen much since most of the vegetables are being procured from neighbouring states like Andhra and Karnataka. “If these states are hit by rains, then prices may go in for a toss,” said Kader.
According to him, the return of those who had left the city to vote in the native places would spur the demand.