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announcement of the lockdown.

Mohammad Sabuj, a potato seller, said that his stock of the key food item was supposed to last three days but had been exhausted in just an hour and half.

“I have sold 250 sacks of potato in just an hour and half. I have never sold such a huge amount in such a small time ever before,” said Sabuj, who has been involved in this business for 40 years.

He said that his average daily sale was around 60-80 sacks (each containing 50-60 kg of potatoes).

Due to the buying spree, the price of potatoes and onions also saw a rise in wholesale markets. Potatoes, sold at Tk 13 per kg in the morning, had risen to Tk 18, while the local variety of onions, sold at taka Tk 28-30 in the morning, shot up to Tk 35-38 by the afternoon.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Amena Khatun, who lives in Moghbazar, said that she turned up in the kitchen market hearing the news of lockdown.

“I was supposed to come on Monday for the monthly purchase of essentials. But I changed my mind after hearing the news of lockdown,” she said.

Mizanur Rahman, a resident of Kathalbagan area, echoed Amena.

Some super shops in Dhaka also witnessed an influx of customers.

Shaheen Khan, chief executive officer of Meena Bazar (a concern of Gemcon Group), said after the announcement of the lockdown, the flow of shoppers increased since noon, which went on till evening.

“But I wouldn’t call it a panic buy. However, after the announcement [of lockdown], the number of customers increased a little. About 25 per cent more customers were seen today,” he added.

Meanwhile, many people also thronged the inter-district bus terminals and Sadarghat launch terminal in the city after the lockdown was announced.

Abul Kalam, president of bus owners’ association of Mohakhali bus terminal, said the number of passengers increased a little in the afternoon.

“We think the pressure of passengers would increase tomorrow [Sunday],” he told The Daily Star yesterday.

Mosharref Hossain, general manager of Hanif Paribahan, said a huge number of passengers started gathering at Gabtoli since yesterday noon.

“We were asked to keep 50 percent of the seats vacant but we are facing a tough challenge to maintain health safety guidelines due to the huge pressure of the passengers,” he said.

Zainal Abedin, joint director (Dhaka river port) of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority, told this correspondent at 4:49pm that although they are yet to see a rise in passengers, it may change later in the day.

Shahidul Alam, sub inspector of River Police at Sadarghat outpost, said the number of passengers had increased in the evening.

At Kamalapur, there were also reports of increased passengers.

However, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said they will shut down passenger trains and operate freight trains once the lockdown is imposed.

“Rail is a public transport run by the government. So, we will take steps as per the government’s decision,” he told The Daily Star yesterday.

“However, everything would be cleared after the circular [of lockdown] is issued,” he added.