Surat MLA Dhiru Gajera, who is associated with diamond business, said, "All diamond and textile units have been closed for last three days and diamond cutters are stranded."
"The exact figure of losses is not known, but it is estimated to be in crores," he added. Ex-president of Gujarat Diamond Association Nanubhai Vasani said daily losses of diamond industry due to closure of business is around Rs 130 crore (Rs 1.3 billion.
The damage to diamond cutting units and machinery will also be grave due to floods, he added. Lion's share of India's diamond exports are from Surat, those associated with the diamond business said.
Of the total exports of diamond from India, 70 per cent diamonds are from Surat and almost all leading diamond companies have origin in Surat, they added.
The flood has also hampered gas production of ONGC, Reliance industires and Essar at Hazira, besides hampering several small and medium enterprises.
Reliance Industries has shut down some of its petrochemical units at Hazira as a safety measure, the sources said.
