Kolkata’s vegetable markets have been hit hard by Cyclone Dana, pushing prices of essential vegetables like beans, capsicum, and green peas past ₹200 per kilogram, making it increasingly difficult for households to maintain daily staples within budget. Heavy rainfall, coupled with high tides, devastated several farmlands across key coastal districts like South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore, leading to rotting crops and widespread losses. Prices for essential produce such as brinjal, pointed gourd, and tomatoes also hovered around ₹100 per kg as of October 27. This latest spike places significant strain on consumers’ purchasing power, especially in middle-income households, as families grapple with increasing food costs.
Wholesale prices have risen sharply, with brinjal climbing from ₹60 to ₹120 per kg and chillies doubling from ₹120 to ₹200 per kg. The surge highlights a wider disruption in Kolkata’s food supply chain, where local crops were decimated by the cyclone’s impact, causing vendors to rely on costly out-of-state produce. Market traders have reported limited supply and a growing risk of spoilage due to delayed transport and perishable conditions, which have compounded supply challenges. The West Bengal Vendors’ Association warns that further price hikes may occur if waterlogged fields in affected districts remain unmanageable, especially in areas with extensive crop decay and water retention issues.
This price escalation underscores the pressing need for sustainable solutions in Kolkata’s food supply chain. Authorities are working to support farmers by implementing drainage measures and pest control interventions, particularly for crops that can still be salvaged. However, with many seedbeds for winter crops damaged, agricultural experts caution that prices for other essentials like cauliflower, cabbage, and chillies could face similar inflationary pressures in the coming months. This sustained high-cost scenario could push both consumers and policymakers to prioritise the adoption of resilient, eco-friendly farming practices that can withstand adverse weather events and bolster Kolkata’s urban food stability.
Beyond the immediate crisis, the cyclone-driven supply chain disruption has also sparked discussion on sustainable urban planning and infrastructure improvements. The challenge of urban food security in Kolkata calls for robust civic solutions, such as flood-resilient agricultural zones and accessible produce markets for local communities. Building sustainable farming models and reinforcing local food systems in Kolkata are increasingly essential to protect against the vulnerabilities exposed by Cyclone Dana, particularly as climate change continues to present challenges for urban regions.
