<h1>Heavy rains damage books and publisher inventory, publishers face lakhs in losses while Guild assesses claims and relief options</h1> Heavy rains caused extensive damage to books and inventory at stalls and publishers in the College Street book hub, with losses estimated in the lakhs and some publishers reporting individual losses of several lakhs; the Guild is assessing total loss and considering mitigation. Legal issues likely to arise include insurance claims for property and stock damage, potential government disaster relief or compensation, contractual impacts on festival-season orders and fairs, and possible claims against landlords or authorities if negligence in flood prevention or emergency warnings is shown. Assessment and documentation of losses will be critical for claims and relief applications.