An eerie silence hangs over N Krishnamurthy's garment manufacturing unit in Tiruppur, one of India's largest textile export hubs.
Only a fraction of some 200 industrial sewing machines on the floor are in operation, as workers make the last of the season's children's garment orders for some of the biggest US retailers.
At one end of the room, piles of fabric samples for new designs are gathering dust - casualties of US President Donald Trump's steep 50% tariffs on India, set to kick in from Wednesday.
India is a major exporter of goods, including garments, shrimp, and gems and jewellery, to the US. Trade experts say the high tariffs - including a 25% penalty for buying Russian oil and weapons - are akin to an embargo on Indian goods.
Across Tiruppur - which contributes to a third of India's $16bn (£11.93bn) exports of ready-to-wear garments to brands such as Target, Walmart, Gap, and Zara - there's acute anxiety about what the future holds.
September onwards, there may be nothing left to do, Krishnamurthy said, as clients have paused all orders. He recently had to pause his expansion plans and bench nearly 250 new workers who were hired before the tariffs were imposed.
Now, these units are banking on the domestic market and the upcoming Diwali season in India to survive. Meanwhile, another factory that makes underwear reports nearly $1 million worth of inventory meant for US stores piled up with no takers.
To soften the blow, the government has announced some measures - a suspension of import duties on raw materials. However, many fear this is too little too late. We can expect the diversion of trade, with US buyers moving to Mexico, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, said Ajay Srivastava of the Global Trade Research Initiative.
In Surat, the world's diamond-cutting and polishing hub, positions have already been slashed. As demand dwindles, many fear for their livelihoods, adding another layer of complexity to a country reeling from a lack of job creation.
