Hyderabad, Sep 23 (KNN) The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Telangana, especially in and around Hyderabad, have been badly hit by the heavy rains in the last few days causing losses of more than Rs 500 crore to the small industry so far.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted moderate to heavy rains for Telangana State in the next week as the low-pressure air system over west-central Bay of Bengal is said to be moving in the north western direction.

IMD said, “Telangana can expect heavy rainfall over the next three days. But it remains to be seen if the low-pressure moves onto land to bring rain next week too.”

Speaking to the KNN Correspondent in Hyderabad, the MSME entrepreneurs cried over the sorry state of industrial areas in the city since September 5 due to torrential rains.

Merely 10-12 per cent of the workers were able to reach the units at the Balanagar Industrial estate, the SME Hub of Telangana, on Thursday. The situation is no better today as well.

All the industrial estates like Balanagar, Gajula Ramaram, Jeedimetla, Patancheru, Kuthbullapur, Nacharam, Uppal and Cherlapally were totally water logged throwing the units out of function. The total production loss, as per initial estimates, is tentatively Rs 100 crore for yesterday only, the SME entrepreneurs told KNN.

The President of the Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of India (ALEAP) K. Ramadevi told KNN that, “I never saw so much water logging in and around Hyderabad. This damage cannot be measured as of now until the heavy rain stops. In the last two days, the majority of workshops were closed due to heavy rains, nala breaches and traffic jams.”

She said, “50% of business establishments were also closed in the city. A large number of industrial estates were established in the sub urban municipalities around Hyderabad.  A total amount of damage to production and business for last three days is estimated as to be tentatively more than Rs 500 crore.”

The state government has sought help of Army for possible rescue operations as MET department forecast heavy rains for the next five days. The government has also declared a two-day holiday for all educational institutions while IT companies were urged to provide a work from home option to the employees. Mayor B. Rammohan said the help of Army was sought for rescue work in areas like Alwal, Nizampet and Begumpet where overflowing water bodies and open drains have inundated residential areas. (KNN/ MSRao)