Biting Cold due to Phethai : Business activity hit hard at Charminar

• Almost 75% decline in sales; Heyday for woolen merchants
• Hawkers seen crowding around bonfires to warm up

Charminar: The impact of the prevailing climatic conditions because of the cyclonic storm, Phethai, which wrecked havoc in the AP, is also being seen at the bustling market area near Charminar.

The businessmen who generally are busy making profits during any given day of the year were seen squatting near bonfires to warm themselves up, even as their sales dwindled.

According to local businessmen and hawkers, there has been a steady decline in their businesses, owing to the bad weather during the last three days.

“Because of the persisting chilling cold, people are not venturing out for shopping or any other casual activity.

I used to make between Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per day, but since a couple of days, I am only able to take home at least Rs 500,” said Akbar, a hawker of fancy items near Charminar.

Even the businessmen, who have been making brisk businesses, for the last one month following the conclusion of the month of Muharram and beginning of marriage season, were seen despising the sudden change in the climate.
“People doing shopping in this area have stopped during the last two days because of worst weather conditions.

We can only hope that the shoppers may have just postponed their plans and would reappear once the climate gets normal,” said Nayeem, a businessman running bangles store.

However, one business that is cashing in on the prevailing weather conditions and making good sales is woollen business.

Those who managed without warm clothes for years are now seen buying warm clothing from roadside merchants. Parents were seen buying sweaters to their loved ones, before sending them to school.

School-going children have become one of the important customers of these merchants, as parents wish to ensure that they do not miss their classes due to falling ill because of the cold conditions.

“Since the climate did not change for couple of days, I decided to buy warm sweaters to my children and for myself.

I had hoped that the situation would change within a day or two, but since the condition has deteriorated, I had to change my mind,” said Md Subhan, a private employee.