July 27: Heavy rainfall and floods in parts of south Bengal have left the city's flower business withered at a time when demand usually rises.

Rose, marigold, tuberose, hibiscus and lotus are currently either scarce or not available in flower shops across the city because the supply chain from East and West Midnapore, Birbhum and Burdwan has been cut off. Most of the fields where these varieties of flowers are grown have been inundated, causing extensive damage.

On the flip side, the increase in prices of local varieties of flowers as a consequence of short supply is preventing retailers from picking up fresh stocks. Several types of flowers are selling at double the usual rates while the ones with a low shelf life are being sold well below their normal prices.

Mullickghat, Calcutta's largest wholesale flower market, today received much less than the usual supply of flowers grown in the districts. On a normal morning, this flower market adjoining Howrah Bridge records transactions totalling around Rs 2 crore.

Scenes at the other flower markets in the city, including Sealdah, were no different. "We usually get around 7,000 to 8,000 pieces of lotus daily from Ahmedpur in Birbhum. Today, we got only 400 pieces," said Khokhon Chatterjee, a wholesaler at the Mullickghat market. "I am unaware of the exact extent of the damage to crops because of rain and floods. If this situation continues, prices will shoot up."

A bunch of 25 lotus stems - big round ones with clean (unblemished) petals - had sold for around Rs 300 in the afternoon. The price of produce of the same quality and quantity could increase beyond Rs 350 by the weekend if supply is hit, a wholesaler said.

During Durga Puja and the wedding season that follows, the price of a bunch of 25 lotus stems goes up to Rs 600.

The Mullickghat flower market has cultivators arriving with their produce from parts of Ranaghat, Badkulla, Krishnagar in Nadia, Panskura and Kolaghat in East Midnapore and Bagnan in Howrah. Some varieties come from Bongaon and Thakurnagar in North 24-Parganas. These include gerbera, balsam, cockscomb and blue-pea.

"Marigold garlands, which would sell for Rs 100 for a bunch of 20, is now selling for Rs 400," dealer Bhutnath Chatterjee said today.

"Supply of marigold from Kolaghat has almost dried up because of floods. Only produce from Gangapur and Ranaghat in Nadia is available."

While marigold garlands sold at four times the normal price, farmers who had stocked up on loose flowers decided to sell them off at a lower price this afternoon. The fear of available stocks rotting quickly in the rain triggered the panic selling.

"We are hoping the rainfall ebbs and the rivers recede fast. Farmers need to return to the fields early to make some profit during the Puja season," said Nitai Hazra, a flower cultivator from Deulti in Howrah.