Sunsari/Hetauda, August 17

Six hundred big and small industries, which have been shut due to incessant rainfall since Friday, are yet to open after floodwaters entered their premises in the Sunsari-Morang industrial corridor.

Water from the swollen Tyangra Khola has damaged machines and raw materials in the industrial corridor, inflicting heavy loss to the owners and adversely affecting the daily wagers due to the closure of industries. The owners are still undecided when to open the industries.

Manager at Arihanta Multifibers Limited of Duhabi Municipality Govinda Bajagain said, “The company has suffered a loss of millions of rupees, as almost all machines and most of the raw materials were damaged when floodwaters gushed into the factory.”

Another reason for shutting down industries is the prolonged power outages, as electricity poles have been damaged in floods.

Six industries in Hetauda Industrial Area in Makawanpur — Shikhar Chemicals, MM Polymers, Food Industry, Biscuit Industry, Shree Ganesh Plastic Industry and Samurai Steels — have remained shut since Sunday due damage caused by incessant rainfall.

Makawanpur Chambers of Commerce and Industry Chairman Nawaraj Aryal said raw materials worth Rs 2.5 crore were destroyed in floods. Industries in Bara-Parsa were also affected due to floods.