Flood scare fuels rush at petrol pumps

With Met forecast for downpour till April 4 creating flood scare in Kashmir, the people in Srinagar were seen thronging petrol pumps to refuel their vehicles apprehending the shortage of fuel in coming days.
The fuel outlets during the entire day today witnessed huge rush with vehicles waiting in long queues for refueling amid rains lashing Valley. “During September floods I ran out of fuel and was not able to get petrol for a number of days,” Ishtiyak Ahmad, a Srinagar resident said, adding so that this time he thought it was better to first refuel his vehicle.
In Hydperpora area of Srinagar one could see vehicles in long queues awaiting their turn at petrol pumps. “This time we are witnessing unprecedented rush of customers due to flood threat,” Muhammad Jabbar, an employee of fuel retail outlet, said.
Jabbar said that people have panicked due to continuous rains and weather forecast.
“Normally, if a customer refills his vehicle by 5 litres, this time he ensured to get at least 15 litres,” Jabbar explained.
He said that they are running out of fuel due to huge demand for petrol and diesel.
“As the Highway may continue to remain blocked, there is likelihood that Valley may face shortage of fuel,” he said.
To mention, last year when the devastating floods hit Kashmir, the fuel retail outlets ran out of fuel causing lot of inconvenience.
As during the deluge the Valley remained cut off from the rest of the country, no supply came in the state as result of which vehicles ran out of fuel.