Foxconn, Pegatron Pause iPhone Production As Heavy Rains Batter Chennai

Apple iPhone’s biggest iPhone contract manufacturer Foxconn has halted the production of iPhones models at its facility in the southern Indian state of Chennai, as the state is pounded by torrential rains, says a report by news agency Reuters, citing two reliable sources. iPhone assembler Pegatron has also temporarily stopped production ast its facility as Tamil Nadu’s capital braces for Cyclone Michaung, which is likely to hit in the next 24 hours.

Notably, this is the second time in the recent months that Pegatron has temporarily paused assembly of iPhone devices at its plant in India. Earlier in September, the Pegatron facility halted assembly after a fire incident near its factory in Chennai.

Taiwan’s Foxconn has not decided yet whether to resume production of iPhone devices at the plant on Tuesday, the sources said, as per the Reuters report. The Foxconn plant employs around 35,000 people.

This comes amid Foxconn’s (also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co.) annoncement to increase its presence in India through an additional investment of $1.6 billion in the country to set up factory, reports said last week. Foxconn made the announcement in a stock exchange filing in Taiwan, but did not provide any further details of the investment.

Meanwhile, torrential rains in Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, caused cars to be washed away by floodwaters in the state’s largest city, an important electronics and manufacturing hub. Additionally, the city’s airport, among India’s busiest, temporarily ceased operations due to severe weather conditions. Schools, offices, colleges and banks were shut on Monday in at least four districts of the state, including Chennai, because of weather conditions, said a government notice.

A public holiday has been declared in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepura and Chengalpattu districts on Tuesday as southern India braces for Cyclone Michaung. As per the order issued by the Tamil Nadu government, all schools and government offices will remain closed. The order, however, further stated that all essential services, such as police, fire service, local bodies, milk supply, water supply, hospitals and medical shops, power supply, transport, fuel outlets, hotels and restaurants, etc, and the offices engaged in disaster response, relief, and rescue activities, shall function as usual.