Hyderabad rains hit business at Charminar markets, sales down 60 per cent

Continuous rains in Hyderabad have left markets around Charminar deserted, with traders reporting 50–60 per cent business loss. Tourist footfall has dropped sharply, affecting shops and hawkers, who are struggling to meet expenses and survive amid the prolonged wet spell

Hyderabad: Continuous spells of heavy rain in the city have been robbing traders of their business for the last fortnight.

From Sultan Bazaar, Koti, Patel Market, Osman Bazaar, Devan Devdi, Pathergatti, Shehran Market, Laad Bazaar, Khilwat and other local markets, a deserted look prevails during the day.

“People are staying indoors due to the rain. Only those buying for marriages or related events are visiting the stores,” said Nitesh Jain, a trader at Rikabgunj Market.

There are around a thousand big and small business establishments within a 2 km radius of Charminar. Thousands of people work in these markets that offer embroidered sarees, suits, traditional menswear, footwear, crockery, pearls, gold, diamonds and silver jewellery. Wholesale markets at Devan Devdi and Rikabgunj also sell merchandise in bulk to traders from other districts.

“The daily business is down by 50 to 60 per cent. If such weather continues, we will struggle to pay employee salaries, shop rents and other expenses,” said Mukarram Ali, a wholesaler at Devan Devdi.

A majority of the shops around Charminar thrive on business from domestic and international tourists who visit historic attractions such as Chowmahalla Palace, Charminar, Jamia Nizamia, Nizam’s Museum, Mecca Masjid and Salar Jung Museum.

“Due to the rains, there is a big fall in tourist arrivals. Fewer visitors at heritage sites means low footfall at shops and reduced business,” explained Mohiduddin, a bangles trader at Laad Bazaar.

Small-time hawkers conducting business between Charminar and Madina Building are also badly hit.

“We don’t operate under shelter, so people avoid stopping at our stalls. For the last 15 days, we have been earning only Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 a day against Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,000 earlier,” said Danish, a hawker at Gulzar Houz.