Handloom industry incurs Tk 200cr loss due to flood in Sirajganj
Over 1.20 lakh looms still inoperative
The owner gives a bleak look at his loom damaged by floodwater at Gopinathpur village in Sirajganj. Photo: STAR
Flood has caused an extensive damage to handloom industry in the district. Officially the loss has been estimated at about Tk 200 crore in this sector. Over 1.20 lakh handlooms remained inoperative for the last two and a half months here. At present, no possibility is in sight to make the looms operative as the owners turned pauper after the deluge. At least 80,000 looms are still under knee deep or waist deep water in different areas. Rest 40,000 others have been damaged fully or partially. Sirajganj Sadar, Kazipur, Belkuchi, Shahzadpur, Chowhali, Kamarkhanda and Ullapara upazilas are famous for handloom industry, according to the District Relief and Rehabilitation Office and local Bangladesh Tant Board office. Lakhs of people are engaged in the industry for years together. Sari, lungi, napkin and other items are produced and supplied all over the country and abroad. About 1.5 lakh people used to work at the handlooms before flood. About six lakh people of the weaver families were dependant on the profession. Of them, many women were involved in handloom related work like cotton rolling, cutting and dyeing. But the devastating flood washed away many looms and damaged other raw materials causing heavy loss to the loom owners and rendering thousands of weavers jobless. Sources in the Handloom Owners and Weavers Association said about six lakh people of the weaver families are now in miserable condition. Production of sari, lungi, napkin and items has been stopped creating their short supply in markets. Association sources said weavers used to earn good profits selling their products during Eid and puja festivals. But this year they are being deprived of the opportunity. Mokaddes Ali, 45, son of late Namdar Ali at Ranigram in Sirajganj town said it was the prime time of business for weavers. Each weaver used to weave cloths to sell those before Puja and Eid. But this year flood has made the weavers unemployed. Although floodwaters started receding, but the weavers have been facing manifold problems. He said he had 29 looms and it was his paternal profession. Flood has destroyed his house and looms. He will not be able to reoperate the looms without government help. He needs about Tk 1 lakh for the purpose. In the meantime, he started thinking to shift to any other profession, he added. Firoz Alom, 35, of the same area said he incurred a loss of Tk 80,000 as flood damaged his 20 handlooms. He is now jobless and passing days along with his family members in misery in the holy month of Ramadan. He said his family members including children will be able to enjoy the Eid festivity. Jakir Hossain, 55, of Belkuchi said his eight power looms were damaged while cotton, yarn and other raw materials amounting to Tk. 5 lakh were damaged by flood. Sultan, 45, an owner of handloom industry at Naggati village in Belkuchi upazila said he had eight hand looms. Eight weavers used to work there regularly. But the flood has damaged his two looms completely and six others partially. At present he has shifted his six looms beside Sirajganj-Belkuchi road. Six weavers are working there. Two others left the job and became rickshaw-pullers. The government should come forward to patronise the weavers by giving them loan free of interest or at easy term, a district administration official said.
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