Wet Weather Hurting Indian Carpet Weavers

Varanasi, India, July 14--Continuous rainfall and steamy weather conditions have hurt the carpet industry in Varanasi, an area known for its hand woven carpets.

The rainy season has turned out to be a problem for the carpet weavers in the region because nothing can dry.

The carpet weavers and makers have incurred losses to the tune of millions of rupees.

"There is nothing that we can do during this season. We cannot dry the carpets and we cannot colour the carpets. It's a great loss for the manufacturers as well as the workers," said Hirday Narayan Giri, a worker.
 
It is not only the daily wageworkers who are badly hit, but even carpet exporters are incurring huge monetary losses.

Though the carpet industry sees a decline in the business during the monsoons every year, the carpet weavers observe that the region had not witnessed such incessant rains as was experienced recently.
 
S. K Sinha, Secretary of All India Carpet Manufacturing Association says that the carpets need sunlight, or else the moisture and dampness damage the color and the texture.

"Its important after dyeing that the wool should be dried in sunlight otherwise it will get spoiled and damage the color. After washing the carpets need to be dried under sunlight without which it can get spoiled due to moisture. Packaging too, due to dampness it can damage the goods. This way it's creating a lot of problems," said Sinha.