Downpour plays havoc with cattle market
Continuous rains in the city have tarnished the hustle and bustle of Asia's largest cattle market. Due to heavy rains, animals have started getting sick in the cattle market.
The fodder of the traders who brought animals for sale from far-flung parts of the country got wet.
Buyers and sellers are equally disturbed. Animal prices are still skyrocketing. Citizens are facing difficulties due to stagnant rain water all around the market.
Buy and sell activities were disrupted due to rains in Asia's largest cattle market on the Super Highway.
Express News surveyed Asia's largest cattle market and spoke to market management, traders and buyers. The traders complained that due to continuous and heavy rains, there were difficulties in taking care of the animals.
The facilities that were initially being provided by the administration have now vanished. Traders say, today is our last day in the market. If buyers do not come by evening, we will take back our animals. People think that animals will get cheaper but we are facing double loss due to soaking of fodder and we have suffered more.
Traders say they have tried to protect animals and fodder by placing plastic sheets for fear of animals getting sick. However, this measure did not work.
They further said that the usual shopping spree close to Eidul Azha was not seen. Traders are still waiting for buyers.
The traders further say that hundreds of animals are brought to the market every day and hundreds of them are sold and this trend continues till Eid day but this year the buyers are also scared of lumpy skin disease (LSD) virus.
Buyers say they've seen three to four cases of the LSD virus and so they are worried. In addition, due to the mud, there are difficulties in getting in and out of the cattle market. Buyers further said that the prices of animals range from Rs35,000 to lakhs of rupees.
They said it is the last day before Eid but prices are still skyrocketing.
The buyers requested the market management to immediately clear the mud from the entrances and exits so that they can buy animals.
On the other hand, the spokesman for the cattle market, Asif Ali Syed said that the teams of water boards are busy draining the water out. They are also cleaning the garbage.
"The market was filled with mud due to heavy rains yesterday, but our teams have been busy removing the mud since last night," he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2022.