Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi

Mangaluru/Udupi, Oct 27: Continuous evening showers accompanied by thunder and lightning over the past week have dealt a severe blow to firecracker traders across the coastal districts. Business this year has reportedly dropped by nearly half.

Local administrations had permitted the setting up of temporary firecracker stalls in open grounds. However, despite several stalls being lined up in one area, the enthusiasm among buyers remained low. Heavy rain and thunderstorms disrupted sales, and the damp weather made it difficult for families to burst crackers or even light lamps in their courtyards at night.

Firecracker sales in Mangaluru are lower due to rain, which has dampened Diwali festivities. Dealers have reported reduced sales for this year's festival, largely because of the unseasonable wet weather. Heavy rains during the Deepavali week forced people to stay indoors in the city. Local sellers reported that people stopped rushing to shops the moment it began to rain.

Persistent showers kept potential customers away from stalls and shops. Temporary firecracker vendors, whose business is highly dependent on foot traffic in the days leading up to Diwali, are particularly affected. The reduced sales have cut into profit margins for firecracker dealers.

In Udupi city, around 30 firecracker stalls were permitted at the Beedinagudde ground by the Udupi City Municipality. But incessant rains turned the ground into a muddy mess, discouraging many customers from visiting the venue. Even though some traders introduced a “home delivery” option, the response from the public remained lukewarm.

While there were only about 18 firecracker stalls last year, the number increased to 30 this year. Traders were allowed to operate from 9 am to 10 pm, but persistent rain kept customers away. Buyers refrained from purchasing fireworks, citing that bursting crackers was impossible in wet conditions. Additionally, several boxes of fireworks were damaged due to moisture and strong winds, leading to significant losses for traders.

Traders are now pinning their hopes on the upcoming Tulsi Puja celebrations from November 1 to 3, during which permission has been granted to keep the stalls open. They remain optimistic that if the rains subside, the losses incurred during Deepavali can be recovered in the coming days.