A massive cloudburst caused flash floods at Khonmoh area here on outskirts on Wednesday morning damaging more than hundred units at the Khonmoh Industrial Estate (IE).
Reports said the first cloudburst occurred at 9:30 am hitting Industrial Estate Phase-2. The second cloudburst hit Phase-3 of the IE in the afternoon.
The IE is divided into three phases and there are almost 450 industrial units in the estate spread on 4000 kanals. Witnesses said more than 100 units have been damaged.
Industrial units affected by the cloudburst included those manufacturing of cardboard boxes, PVC wire, plaster of paris units, furniture, cement blocks, sewage pipes and carry bags.
They said pyramid industries that make PVC or sewage pipes have suffered major damage as their raw materials and finished goods were completely washed away by the gushing waters.
“Soon after the cloudburst officials and unit holders started rescue work and continued to do so till late evening. But losses suffered by unit holders have dealt a blow to our enthusiasm as industry has already been on a backfoot due to various factors,” said Zubair Butt, a unit holder at the IE.
Abid Ali, president, Khonmoh Industrial Estate said the exact amount of losses cannot be ascertained at present but said “losses worth crores of rupees” have taken place due to cloudburst and subsequent flooding.
“Residing water has also washed away crops but maximum damage was caused to plaster of paris industrial units which are almost six. Among other units affected includes paper manufacturing units,” said Ali.
“The raw material for the corrugated boxes comes in a huge quantity and and have been rendered dysfunctional by the water,” he said.
Deputy commissioner Srinagar Farooq Ahmad Lone, managing director SIDCO JS Dua and director Industries and Commerce, Bilal Ahmad Bhat visited the IE and took stock of the damage.
The DC ordered constitution of joint teams of officers to prepare loss assessment reports. He was accompanied by additional DC and Tehsildar concerned.
Mukhtair Yousuf, president , FCIK said a representation would be submitted with the government so that affected are compensated. He said FCIK will conduct loss assessment and provide the loss figures to the government.
“SDRF fund should compensate industrial losses. There are some small units that are uninsured who also need to be assisted,” he said.
Several units at the Khonmoh Industrial received a big blow as their power sub-stations were washed away by the cloudburst. Unit holders said it would take almost a week for partially damaged units to become operational once again.
Muhammad Amin Sofi, manager estates, Khonmoh said infrastructure inside the IE such as roads, electricity poles were badly damaged by the cloudburst. Sofi said hi-tension lines were also damaged which lead to electricity getting snapped in the IE.
“Road stretch for almost one kilometer has been completely washed away. Rescue work was the first priority and now we will start assisting unit holders so that they get their insurance claims on time,” Sofi said.
