Rain and storm destroy raw bricks worth Rs 40 million in Rautahat

Kathmandu.  Brick factories in Rautahat have been badly damaged due to incessant rain and storm on Friday and Saturday.

It is estimated that the district has suffered a financial loss of around Rs 40 million due to the destruction of raw bricks kept for drying in open places.

According to Ram Binod Sah, president of Rautahat Brick Entrepreneurs Association and proprietor of SPL Brick Industry, around 50 brick factories operating in the district have suffered the most damage. According to the data collected, more than 10 lakh raw bricks have been completely destroyed in different industries.

Proprietor Prem Shankar Yadav informed that the Radha Krishna Brick Industry at Vrindavan municipality-2 suffered a loss worth over Rs 5.5 million. Similarly, 50 industries including BK, Bir, Pooja, MBI, Sona and Ram Janaki have been badly affected.

On an average, it costs more than Rs 7 to make a raw brick, including soil, water and labor. Industrialists have invested millions of rupees in the soil after the bricks that were in the process of drying were melted by the rain.

Chairman Saha said, “The government, local administration and financial bodies have not shown any interest even when our investment is on the verge of sinking.” We have been repeatedly requesting for an insurance system, but no action has been taken. ’

Entrepreneurs have demanded that the insurance system of raw bricks should be adopted to reduce the damage caused by natural disasters. They complain that the entrepreneurs have to take a big risk every year due to lack of insurance facility.

The affected brick industrialists have demanded the government, the Ministry of Industry, the disaster management agency and the insurance companies to take initiatives for immediate relief and long-term security.