Firecracker sellers rue low sales in Visakhapatnam this Diwali
Visakhapatnam, Nov 13 (ANI)
Diwali celebrations have been a very low-key affair in Visakhapatnam, as sellers rue low sales of firecrackers owing to Cyclone Nilam that recently hit the southeastern coast of the country.
The firecracker markets witnessed a huge crowd of shoppers every year here, but the traders expressed disappointment this time as the markets wore a deserted look.
Last week, heavy rains due to cyclone Nilam lashed Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, resulting in incessant rainfall, which flooded residential areas and washed away railway tracks.
Residents of Visakhapatnam and on its outskirts braved heavy rains that swelled rivers and flooded houses and farmlands.
Dinesh, a shopkeeper here, told the media about the poor sales of the firecrackers in wake of the cyclone.
"This year the sales have not picked up till now and we do not know whether it is because of the cyclone or not. Our expenses have also risen including the license, stall, and transportation costs have also increased due to the diesel price hike. We have no idea about the sales," said Dinesh.
Meanwhile, Kaivalya Singh, a local here, expressed his ire over the increasing prices of essential commodities.
"As compared to last year, the prices have increased as the price of every commodity is increasing. It is getting difficult for the common man to survive. Last whatever we bought for rupees 2000, this year we are able to buy nothing. The common man is facing lot of problem and the government should think about it," said Singh.