JAIPUR: With people resorting to panic buying, essential commodities have vanished from the markets and price of vegetables skyrocketed in Jajpur district.
Chuda (flattened rice), biscuits, matchboxes, batteries, kerosene and candles are nowhere to be found and prices of potatoes and onion have doubled in the last one day.
Locals said wheat flour which was being sold at Rs 23 per kg till Monday is now selling at over Rs 30 per kg and the price is expected to rise further.
“To cash in on the situation, some traders are also resorting to hoarding thereby creating an artificial scarcity,” said Prashant Sahu, a local.
Prices of vegetables have increased by 50 per cent in the last 24 hours due to the impending cyclone. Brinjal which was available for Rs 20 a kg till Tuesday, was selling at Rs 40 on Wednesday. Similarly, pumpkin was being sold at Rs 25 per kg and price of potatoes rose to Rs 40 per kg from Rs 25 on Wednesday.
Collector Anil Kumar Samal on Wednesday held a review meeting with all line department officials and took stock of the situation. Samal directed all BDOs to clean cyclone shelters in their respective areas to accommodate people in wake of the cyclone.