The warning of Tropical Cyclone Two (PTC2) descending on T&T on Tuesday triggered long lines outside dozens of supermarkets and panic buying, as scores of citizens stocked up on essential food supplies.
From as early as 7 am, dozens of customers with trolleys and baskets were seen waiting outside supermarkets to purchase foodstuff.
Supermarket Association of T&T (SATT) president Rajiv Diptee said citizens were rushing to buy cases of bottled water, candles, batteries, bread, Crix and canned foods.
“I would tell you there is panic buying ongoing presently. This is part of our culture. Trinidadians are particularly last-minute shoppers. In some cases, they are not coming for a lot of things. There are long lines outside supermarkets. We are seeing a huge volume of people inside the stores as well.”
Up to midday, Diptee said the long lines remained constant with customers filling their trolleys and baskets.
Diptee said supermarkets had been asking customers to buy what they need and not to stockpile unnecessary supplies.
“It’s a storm that may last a day or two. Be mindful of others and their needs.”
He said up to Monday, sales at supermarkets were normal.
“There was no kind of panic buying. However, the fear has set in now that it is something to worry about...be it a storm or hurricane. We are not sure what we really in for.”
Early yesterday morning, the shelves of some supermarkets ran out of candles and batteries. Canned food, Crix and bread were also purchased in large quantities.
“But bottled water is what people are mostly buying,” he said.
With T&T being put on orange level alert by the T&T Meteorological Service, Diptee said some supermarkets had taken the decision to close earlier than usual to allow their staff to get home safely and prepare for what is ahead of us.
SATT is being guided by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management.
Supermarket owners, Diptee said, will monitor the weather conditions and make a decision on how to proceed in the coming hours.