SIDDARTHANAGAR: Unseasonal rain and strong winds have caused heavy financial losses to brick industries in Rupandehi District, damaging millions of rupees worth of raw bricks.

Bricks that were prepared for firing were soaked by rain and destroyed leaving factory owners in trouble.

According to Ajay Kumar Gupta former president of the Lumbini Brick Industry Association, last week’s rainfall damaged raw bricks across the district. Around 30 brick factories are currently operating in the area, the association said.

He said the losses come at a time when rising fuel prices, including coal and diesel, have already increased production costs, putting further pressure on business owners.

Ganesh Rayamajhi, manager of Ganesh Brick Industry said more than Rs 30 million worth of raw bricks have been destroyed due to the rain. He explained that bricks ready for firing were completely ruined after getting wet.

With each raw brick costing around Rs 7, total losses have reached into the millions, he added. He also complained that the lack of insurance for raw bricks means factory owners face such losses every year.

Industry operators have urged the government to introduce insurance policies for brick businesses, similar to other sectors and to develop long term measures to reduce weather related risks.

Unpredictable weather during the winter production season has been affecting investment and jobs in the sector, they said.