Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, May 18: Rains coupled with wind that lashed the city in the morning on Monday May 18, badly damaged vegetables and fruits at Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) yard in Baikampady which were brought for sale.

Vendors who had come from various parts of the districts to start weekly sale, faced heavy losses after their produce got washed away into drains as many of them were unable to shift the fruits and vegetables bags to safer places before the heavy downpour began.

“We have lost vegetables worth over thousands of rupees due to the sudden rain as we were not prepared for it. The district administration shifted the market from Mangaluru central market over here few weeks ago as a measure to prevent spreading of coronavirus. But after the shifting was done, the district administration is least bothered about the facilities and issues at APMC here,” said Raghava, a fruit vendor who came from Car Street.

“First of all there is a heavy decline in business after coronavirus outbreak. We are forced to run our business here at APMC by the district administration. For the sake of public safety, we agreed to the same. Today’s rain should be an eye opener for the administration. They should act quickly and make arrangements for smooth trade in the upcoming rainy season,” said Abdul Jabbar, a vegetable vendor.