Kolkata: Rainfall triggered by Cyclone Dana has severely impacted the flower fields in Howrah and the two Midnapores over the last 48 hours. It has led to concerns over a potential shortage in supply and an increase in prices during the Kali Puja and Diwali festivities, when flowers are widely used for various rituals.
Retailers and wholesalers at Mullickghat have cautioned about a potential price hike in the coming days. On Saturday, the prices of most varieties at Mullickghat rose by nearly 10% in the wake of short supply. “According to the cultivators we spoke to in Howrah and East Midnapore, approximately 30% of the flowers were damaged by the rain over the past few days. This might hit the supply of flowers during Kali Puja and Diwali next week,” said Biswanath Das, a wholesaler in Mullickghat and a member of the All Bengal Flower Growers’ and Traders’ Association.
As the third-largest flower producer, Bengal cultivates around 10,000 tonnes annually. Marigold, lotus and hibiscus are among the most popular flowers offered to deities in Kali Puja rituals.
Arup Kumar Ghosh, a marigold flower cultivator from Kolkghat, reported that nearly 30% of his flowers were damaged by the rainfall. “The flowers are wet, and due to the overcast weather, there is very little hope of them drying up. In a couple of days, the flowers will be infected by fungi,” said Ghosh.
The festive season is crucial for both farmers and sellers to generate good business. However, floods in Sept and the heavy rainfall triggered by the cyclone have cast a shadow over their prospects. “Flower business was badly affected before Durga Puja. Now it seems we are going to lose business during Diwali/Kali Puja,” said Tark Dey, a member of the Mullickghat Phool Market Vendors’ Association.
The All Bengal Flower Growers’ and Traders’ Association on Friday submitted a memorandum to the govt demanding compensation for affected flower growers.