31st October 2013

- Pavala Rajesh Kumar Jeyabalan

Rain dampens Diwali Sale in Sivakasi

Dark clouds hung over Sivakasi and surrounding areas from today morning and the skies opened up later in the afternoon. A steady shower was experienced in the Crackers Town today afternoon from 1:45 p.m. to 2:05 p.m.. Within minutes of a steady rain accompanied by strong wind the town was seen flooded and clogged. With just one day left for Diwali Festival, traders and shopkeepers were banking on the last minute rush for purchases. However, the unwelcoming rain badly affected the sales of roadside vendors, today. Hundreds of pavement stalls in NRKR road remained closed at today afternoon because of the heavy rain leading to a 15 to 25 per cent drop in turnover. The roadside stalls opened later in the evening when the rain stopped for a brief time. The trade is hoping to make up for lost time thanks to the last minute rush for clothes, home appliances and sweets. In Sivakasi, with printing units, match works units, fireworks factories and companies handing out attractive bonuses to employees, a shopping spree began from today night. Sivakasi likely to get more rain for the next one week and the temperature fell down to 33 degree celsius and 24 degree celsius. Sivakasians, the shopkeepers, pavement stall and roadside vendors expected rains to stop for next three days.