Uttarakhand floods trigger vegetable price hike in Delhi

The floods and heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh has taken a toll on both vegetable vendors and their customers as the price of vegetables continues to rise.

The growth of the vegetables was affected due to heavier than normal and early monsoon.

Vikas, a Delhi vegetable vendor, said customers are very upset and not ready to listen.

"Earlier, vegetables use to cost 10 rupees, but now cost 30 rupees. The customers are so upset that when we sell the vegetables, they don't listen to us. Each and everything is being sold for double and triple the price. The reason behind all this is the rains and floods which have hit northern India in past few days, " he said.

Early this morning, customers were haggling with vendors as the rise in the price of the vegetables was making a hole in their pockets.

Raj Kumar, another vegetable vendor, held heavy rains and floods were responsible for the price hike as there is shortage of vegetables that is being supplied.

"This is all because of rain. During rains, sales decreases due to which it becomes expensive. In place of four trucks of vegetables only two come and the rates get double," said Kumar.

The floods in Uttarakhand state have killed at least 822 people and displaced tens of thousands of inhabitants in Uttarakhand state, a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims due to its shrines and temples.

The disaster has been dubbed a "Himalayan tsunami" by the media due to the torrents of water unleashed in the hilly region, which sent mud and boulders crashing down, burying homes, sweeping away buildings, roads and bridges.

The June to September monsoon is crucial for farm output and economic growth in India, where just over half of arable land is rain-fed.