Hyderabad: With heavy rain lashing Telangana, essential vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, green chillies, and bitter gourd have seen a sharp increase in prices, leading to anxiety among both home cooks and working professionals.
In rythu bazaars, the price of tomatoes has climbed from Rs 15 to Rs 21 per kg, while lady’s fingers have gone up from Rs 23 to Rs 28. Bitter gourd now costs `26 per kg, up from Rs 23, and green chillies have experienced the steepest rise, jumping from Rs 28 to Rs 45 per kg. Prices outside rythu bazaars were even higher, with vendors quoting up to 20 per cent more. Supermarkets and quick commerce apps are selling green chillies at Rs 59 per kg and tomatoes at Rs 25 per kg.
The price hikes are largely attributed to the disruption in the supply chain due to the heavy rain. The downpours have not only affected transportation but have also caused waterlogging in several districts, damaging crops and further exacerbating the situation. M. Venkanna, secretary of Pochampally Wholesale Market, pointed out that while the increase in prices has been modest, transportation disruptions caused by floods are the main challenge.
The rising prices are particularly burdensome for those with limited incomes. "As a cook working in many households, I often have to prepare meals without essential ingredients like onions and tomatoes because many bachelors ask me to do so due to the high costs," shared Yamuna, a cook in the city.
Lalitha, a social media manager, voiced her concern for daily wage workers and single women managing families on low-paying jobs. "The price increases due to the rain are understandable, but it’s really tough for those living on the edge," she said.
Despite the current situation, the estate officer of Erragadda Rythu Bazaar expressed hope that prices would normalise within the next two to three days, once the rains subside. However, certain vegetables like potatoes and carrots are expected to maintain their current prices at Rs 36 per kg and Rs 72 per kg, respectively.
