It will take time for Veraval146;s businesses to come out dry

Over 5,000 shops inundated, stock worth crores of rupees damaged

Since floodwaters washed up along Veraval town8217;s coast on Tuesday night, an unprecedented 5,000 commercial establishments and 35 residential societies8212;with around two lakh residents8212;were still inundated on Thursday.

According to trade representatives, the loss to commercial establishments alone may run into a few crores. Urban Development Minister I K Jadeja who surveyed the town in Junagadh district on Wednesday has announced a relief package of Rs 40 lakh.

With stock and even furniture floating away, or damaged by the rainwater, shop-owners were a worried lot.

The shop of Chimanbhai Adhiya in Vakharia Bazar was still under five-foot of water and several tonnes of cereals had been damaged. 8220;Even after 48 hours, we are not in a position to enter the shop. All sacks in which cereals were stored are completely soaked,8221; said Adhiya, a former president of Veraval Chamber of Commerce. The hundred-odd shops in the area were in a similar state.

Sata Bazar was no better. Bipin Mehta, who runs a stationery shop, said: 8220;The entire stock has been damaged.8221;

At the Mafatlal showroom nearby, there was hardly any cloth material that was not wet. 8220;The loss to the commercial section of the town may run up to Rs 50 crore,8221; said Adhiya, adding: 8220;Receding floodwaters are likely to bring more bad news.8221;

With Veraval receiving 15 inches of rainfall in less than 24 hours, residential areas were still marooned. Foodgrains, clothes and electronic goods have been washed away from most homes, said residents.

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8220;The floodwaters carried away every single item on the ground floor of our house,8221; said Ramaven Bhandalia, a resident of Gopikunj in Tagorenagar-II. Around 300 houses in Tagorenagar-I and II were reportedly under three feet of water for the third consecutive day.

Meanwhile, the Congress has slammed the Government for 8220;tardy8221; rescue and relief operations. 8220;The Government is yet to press its machinery into action. So far, it is the people who have been helping each other out,8221; Congress MLA from Veraval-Sutrapada Jasa Barad said.

Terming the Rs 40-lakh package as 8220;too little8221;, Barad said: 8220;The situation here is no better than what it was in Surat a year ago. A relief package would be sought both from the State as well as Central Government.8221;