Besides bringing normal life to a halt, four consecutive days of heavy rainfall in Mumbai and its nearby industrial cities like Bhiwandi, have also affected the textile and garment business. The financial capital of India has been receiving incessant rain, with July already recording average rainfall of 840.7mm. Though there is no major or long-term impact of the rainfall, many factories and offices remained closed for three-four days. Even those units that were operational, saw heavy absenteeism. Powerlooms units in Raoji Nagar and Aslam Nagar of Bhiwandi faced water logging so they couldn’t work for nearly two days.
Permeshwar Exports, which has its factory as well as office in Lower Parel area, witnessed 50 per cent absenteeism in the last three days. “Our staff comes from areas like Virar, Vasai and Badlapur, and since local trains were badly hit, they have a valid reason to be absent. Yesterday, logistic and courier services were also unavailable so it affected our working,” informed Ajay Sadh, CEO of the company, which exports women dresses and accessories to Germany, France, and some other countries.
As some of the manufacturing of Permeshwar Exports is outsourced from other states, so it had less impact, however in the case of companies that have in-house manufacturing or in nearby areas, were affected badly. Chintan V Daga, Rishab International informed, “Dyeing, washing, and printing were stopped for four days, transportation was also affected. So our work got delayed but as it is a natural calamity and nobody can do anything, the buyers will support us for this minor delay.” Having its operation in Kalachowki area of Mumbai, Rishabh International exports to the US and Europe.
Rain is an ‘annual’ affair in Mumbai and Mumbaikars are used to such conditions with managing their plans in advance. Rahul Mehta, President, Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) feels the impact is minimal. “I don’t think that heavy rain will have any major impact on garment business. There may be few exceptional cases of having LC expire in these days, otherwise, industry manages the situation well,” he maintains.
