Surat's Poddar Arcade Suffers Massive Losses After Heavy Rain, Traders Estimate Damage Worth Crores

Floodwater entered shops and storage areas, damaging stocks worth crores and bringing business to a standstill.

Heavy rains flood major electronics market
Many parts of Surat have been severely waterlogged due to the continuous rain. Reports say water entered through the ground floor and basement at Poddar Arcade, inundating shelves and display counters.

Traders said phones, laptops, accessories and other high-value electronics were damaged in minutes.

Traders estimate crores of losses
Shop owners are still assessing the damage, but early estimates are staggering. 

Traders said the combined loss could be close to ₹250 crore, one of the biggest hits to the city’s electronics trade in recent years. 

Whole inventories are wiped out. “The water was in the shops for hours,” said a shopkeeper.

Businesses start recovery efforts
When the water went down, the traders began to clean out their stores and to salvage what they could of their stock. Some stores were closed while their owners inventoried the damage.

Official assessment to follow
Traders have made their own estimates, but officials are expected to conduct an official survey to find out the exact losses.

Post the incident, demand for better drainage and flood protection in Surat’s key commercial areas, which get waterlogged every monsoon, has gained momentum once again.