As soon as the news came in about the arrival of cyclone Hudhud on the Odisha coast, the people of coastal areas became too much cautious and created an artificial potato crisis in the market. Panic buying has led to the scarcity of essential commodities, particularly the potatoes.

People were seen in standing in long queue in various ration shops and involved in fighting in many places to collect the goods.

In the state capital, the dry foods like Chuda (Poha), Candles, Potatoes etc. are high in demand. The price of potato even rose up to Rs. 60 per kg. from the normal price of Rs 25 on Wednesday. At Reliance Fresh, the potatoes vanished as early as in the morning.

The high demand-pull shortages of potatoes push the prices of other commodities like Chuda, Candles, Sugar, Dal, Biscuits, Milk Powder etc. Meanwhile, two potato laden trucks were seized in Cuttack and later sold in the government retail shop with normal prices.

Earlier, the state government has asked the district Collectors to crack down the traders involved in hoarding of essential commodities in the wake of cyclonic situation.