Apple’s top iPhone assemblers Foxconn and Pegatron have suspended production at their plants in Chennai due to torrential rains and cyclone warning in the region, sources said.
This is the second such production halt for Pegatron in recent months after a fire incident halted output in September at its India plant.
Foxconn, which employs around 35,000 people across two units in Tamil Nadu, is yet to decide on resuming work on Tuesday amid the cyclone disruption, sources privy to the development said.
Chennai and several neighboring districts are witnessing extreme rainfall and flooding, prompting authorities to issue holidays for offices and schools on Tuesday.
The city’s airport has also stopped operations while roads remain waterlogged, hampering overall transportation and mobility.
The disruptions come even as Foxconn recently committed fresh investments of $1.6 billion for expanding manufacturing in India – a key growth market.
But natural calamities like the current cyclone emphasize the need for Apple and suppliers to build resilient supply chains as they shift production from China.
Cyclone Mandous is expected to strike the Tamil Nadu coast on Tuesday night. Authorities have ensured essential services will operate along with disaster management teams.
