KARACHI, Aug 22: Except for normal production activities at the SITE Industrial Estate, four other industrial areas of the city suffered 50 to 80 per cent production losses, especially in morning shifts on Wednesday, as workers could not reach factories due to thin public transport and bad condition of roads.

Industries had experienced production losses to the extent of 30 to 70pc on Aug 9 and 10 as a sizable number of workers failed to turn up owing incessant rains.

On Wednesday, around 90pc leading retail and wholesale markets either remained closed or observed a half day. Industries could not send their local shipments to the domestic market for fear of damage to their products from rains.

Apart from low productivity, exporters are already facing problems in meeting deadlines for timely shipments due to thin presence of container goods’ carriers after a ban on their movement.

Chairman, Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association, Anis Majeed, said trading in wholesale food items remained suspended at markets as many people could not reach their shops due to accumulated water on roads.

Some traders, who somehow opened their shops, closed them early.

There was only 10 to 15pc trading activity at the Subzimandi on Superhighway despite satisfactory arrival of trucks from the upcountry on Tuesday night.

Chairman, Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market Haji Shahjehan, said some 400 to 500 trucks arrived on Tuesday night despite rains in the city.

However, only 100-150 trucks offloaded their consignments on Wednesday.

There were only fewer buyers from the city as many failed to enter the market owing to poor road passage inside the wholesale market that had submerged with rainwater.

Many traders either cashed in on the situation by charging higher prices, while others sold items below normal rates.

Chairman, SITE Association of Industry, Imran Shaukat, said production remained normal as 80 per cent workers marked their attendance, while arrival of administration people remained 50 per cent less.

He said situation about power failures and labour attendance remained satisfactory as compared with previous rains. However, export shipments and local supplies from industries almost remained at the bottom due to absence of heavy vehicles.

Chairman, North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI), Faraz Mirza, said 80 per cent industries in the areas remained shut, out of a total 2,500 units, while the remaining 20 per cent units recorded only 30 to 40 per cent attendance.

Chairman, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Masood Naqi, said production suffered as 20-25 per cent workers’ failed to reach factories. He said of the 2,500 units around 50 per cent units failed to operate.

Senior Vice Chairman of Landhi Association of Trade and Industry (LATI), Dawood Usman, said as a result of only 50 per cent attendance of workers, production also remained low.

However, other activities, like supplies to local markets, remained very idle.

Chairman, FB Area Association of Trade and Industry (FBATI), Masroor Ahmed Alvi, said production fell by 50 per cent as only 50pc workers turned up.