Kohima, Nagaland, September 4 (HBTV): Following the multiple landslides along National Highway 29 between Dimapur and Kohima, panic buying has gripped the capital city of Kohima. Reports of road blockages have led to widespread concern about potential shortages of essential commodities, particularly petrol.     

Heavy rains triggered landslides on Tuesday along portions of National Highway 29 between Dimapur and Kohima, killing at least six people. 

Residents are flocking to fuel stations across the town, fearing that supplies might run out due to disrupted transport routes. However, authorities had assured that there is no shortage and supply lines are open via alternative routes.  

HornbillTV took to the streets of Kohima to gauge the situation, speaking with both the public and fuel dealers. Many residents expressed frustration saying they had spent hours driving from one fuel station to another, only to find empty pumps. One resident noted, "I've been searching for fuel since early morning, but every pump I visited is already out of stock."

Fuel dealers have confirmed that the demand has surged dramatically since news of the landslides broke. They attributed the empty stations to panic buying rather than an actual shortage of supply.

In response to the public's concerns, the Deputy Commissioner of Kohima, Kumar Ramnikant, issued an urgent advisory. He reassured citizens that there is no need for panic, as the district administration is actively coordinating with neighboring districts to ensure the continuous flow of essential supplies, including fuel, through alternative routes.    

The deputy commissioner clarified that the panic buying stemmed from a "fallacious assumption" of shortages and urged the public to refrain from hoarding.

Despite these reassurances, the scenes of long queues at fuel stations and empty pumps underscore the anxiety gripping the city's residents. The district administration continues to monitor the situation closely, working to alleviate fears and restore normalcy in the supply chain.    

However, the public's grievances reflect a broader concern over the reliability of supply routes during natural disruptions.