Flood side effects seep down to Udupi

Workers waiting at a bus stand. || Photo courtesy: Internet

Udupi: The floods in northern Karnataka have rendered the farming, construction and fishing industries in the district idle. The ripe paddy crop stands unattended in the fields, waiting to be harvested. The construction sites wear a dreary look. The factor that abides them – migrant labourers – are conspicuous by their absence.

Most of the labourers employed in these industries hail from northern Karnataka especially Bijapur, Bagalkot, Raichur and Haveri districts. Due to the damage caused by the recent floods in that region, they have returned back home to support their families and help them restart their lives by rebuilding their homes and livelihood.

This has led to a standstill situation in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. “Although there is no official data as of now but the industries have surely been affected with the migration of labourers”, said Gokul Das, Municipal Commissioner of Udupi. Sources suggest that as many as 8000 workers out of Udupi’s total 10,000 worker population have gone back.

Workers also have been under suffering, losing the meagre daily wages they earn here with each day they stay back and at the same time requiring money to rebuild their lives. Vijay, a contractor based in Udupi, said, “It is affecting us very badly. We are losing money daily and are only praying that the situation gets back to normal soon.”

Sub-edited by: Kerban Billimoria