Heavy Rainfall in Siraha Causes Estimated NPR 90 Million Loss to Unfired Bricks

Siraha. Raw bricks worth millions of rupees were ruined by the rain that fell on Friday and Saturday in Siraha. The loss to businessmen is estimated to be over NPR 90 million due to the destruction of unfired bricks prepared for firing in more than 30 brick industries located in various parts of the district.

Krishna Singh, the head of the Nepal Brick Kiln Federation in Siraha and operator of Ganapati Brick Industry in Golbazar, stated that over one crore bricks were spoiled by the rain across the more than 30 operational brick industries in the district. He said, 'Currently, 30 brick industries are operational in the district, and 4 to 6 lakh bricks have been ruined in each industry. A simple calculation suggests a loss of around NPR 3 crore worth of bricks.'

Vikram Sah, who is also the provincial chairman and operator of Shree Sagar Brick Industry in Golbazar Ward 6, informed that approximately 6 lakh bricks were ruined in his industry alone. According to him, almost all industries in the district suffered significant damage.

Provincial Chairman Sah further informed that since the rain on Friday and Saturday fell uniformly across the district, brick industries throughout the district sustained equal damage.

Businessmen state that it costs NPR 3 to prepare a raw brick until it is ready for firing. According to the businessmen, preparing one raw brick costs NPR 3, including soil, water, machinery, and labor. The businessmen lamented that they are in great distress as their work has become unusable after being soaked by the rain.

Businessmen complained that the state only collects taxes and demanded that their production also be protected.