India
oi-Swastika Sruti
A sudden surge in panic buying has created a fuel crisis in parts of Andhra Pradesh, forcing hundreds of petrol pumps to temporarily shut down. The situation has caused long queues, confusion, and inconvenience for people across several cities and towns.
A fuel crisis in Andhra Pradesh has caused over 400 petrol pumps to temporarily shut down due to panic buying, which increased demand by more than 50% out of fear, despite increased supplies.
Officials say the problem is not just supply, but the sharp increase in demand driven by fear of shortages.
Over 400 Fuel Outlets Shut Temporarily
Out of nearly 4,500 fuel stations in the state, around 421 petrol pumps have been closed temporarily due to low stock levels. The closures are not permanent, but they reflect how quickly fuel supplies have been exhausted.
Authorities have clarified that supply chains are still active, but the sudden spike in demand has made it difficult for pumps to keep up.
Demand Surges Far Beyond Normal Levels
Under normal conditions, daily fuel consumption in the state is steady. On average, petrol sales are around 6,330 kilolitres per day, while diesel sales are about 9,048 kilolitres.
However, panic buying has changed this pattern drastically. On Saturday alone, petrol sales jumped to over 10,345 kilolitres, while diesel sales reached 14,156 kilolitres.
This means demand has increased by more than 50%, putting unexpected pressure on fuel supplies.
Why Panic Buying Happened
The sudden rush at petrol pumps is mainly driven by fear. Many people started buying extra fuel after hearing concerns about possible shortages.
As more people joined the rush, queues grew longer, and stocks started running out faster. This created a cycle where the fear of shortage actually led to real shortages at several outlets.
Supply Increased, But Still Not Enough
Officials have stated that fuel supply has already been increased by nearly 10% to meet rising demand. However, the surge in buying has been so high that even increased supply has not been enough to stabilize the situation.
Tankers are being dispatched regularly, but the gap between demand and supply continues to cause temporary shortages at many pumps.
Public Facing Long Queues and Disruptions
Across multiple cities and towns, people have been seen waiting in long lines at petrol stations. Many pumps ran out of fuel within hours, forcing them to shut operations for the day.
This has led to inconvenience for daily commuters, transport services, and businesses that depend on regular fuel supply.
Authorities Urge Calm
Officials are now urging people not to panic and to avoid unnecessary bulk purchases. They have assured that there is no major disruption in supply and that the situation will stabilise soon.
Experts say that if buying patterns return to normal, fuel availability will improve quickly and operations at closed petrol pumps will resume.
While the current situation remains tense, authorities believe it is temporary. With supply continuing and awareness increasing, the pressure on fuel stations is expected to ease in the coming days.
