Eral town, traditionally bustling with Christmas Eve shoppers, now wears a desolate and somber atmosphere following devastating floods. As a vital commercial hub in the southern district, Eral served as the wholesale market for traders from 40 to 50 neighboring villages. The recent flood has left the town in shock and despair, particularly impacting its commercial streets that house various wholesale shops dealing in textiles, groceries, vessels, iron scrap, and jewelry.
The flash flood submerged Eral under 15-20 feet of water, swallowing all shops along the main commercial street, each stocked with materials ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 5 crore, according to trade leaders. The catastrophe occurred just a week before Christmas, resulting in the loss of textile, firecracker, and grocery shops. Shopkeepers report significant losses, with garments worth several crores being washed away.
Traders, facing immense financial setbacks, are appealing to the state government for interest-free loans over five years to aid in reopening their shops. The flood has set them back by four decades, with losses totaling in the crores for various businesses, including a private rice mill, a timber saw mill, and a leading fertilizer shop.
In the aftermath, traders are seeking government intervention for financial assistance, emphasizing the need for revitalizing their businesses. They urge the central government to extend the deadline for GST filings due to challenges such as lack of electricity, network connectivity, and server accessibility. The dire situation calls for swift and comprehensive support to help Eral and its traders recover from this significant setback.
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