Analysts think a recovery to pre-flood coal production levels will take at least three months.

FORBES: Australian Floods Cause Drought in the Coal Market

Western Digital said it expects to have manufacturing capacity back to pre-flood levels in the September quarter.

FORBES: Western Digital FY Q2 Tops Previous Guidance; Shrs Rally

By the second half of the year, the company expects storage end-market revenues to recover to pre-flood levels.

FORBES: Stocks Trading For Less Than David Einhorn And Prem Watsa Paid For Them

It is very likely that 2013 will be a very good year for HDD companies as a result of constrained supply in 2012, particulalry if prices stay at least someone above the pre-flood levels.

FORBES: Fragility and Recovery of Digital Storage Supply Chains

Although WD has restarted their head slider line in Thailand and is ramping up slider production in Malaysia that should come on line in the June quarter, the company does not expect to reach pre-flood production levels until September 2012.

FORBES: Fragility and Recovery of Digital Storage Supply Chains

Mr Cable told the BBC's Andrew Marr show that it was designed to "pre-empt a flood" of new arrivals in the period before permanent arrangements came into force.

BBC: Cable defends temporary cap on non-EU migration