Amid rising petrol and diesel prices, concerns have started growing among consumers over a possible increase in the prices of essential commodities such as edible oil, rice, pulses, and other daily-use items. However, traders have assured that there is no immediate reason for panic.

Responding to public concerns, Malgodown Traders’ Association General Secretary Prafulla Chhatoi said there is sufficient stock of essential commodities in warehouses and no shortage situation exists in the market.

According to him, the current stock available in Malgodown warehouses is enough to meet demand for at least the next two months.

Essential Goods Supply Remains Normal

Prafulla Chhatoi stated that essential commodities are continuing to arrive in the market regularly as per demand and the recent fuel price hike has not affected warehouse operations or commodity supply.

He clarified that all major food items, including rice, pulses, and edible oil, are adequately stocked in warehouses across the state.

Although business activity has increased slightly due to public concern, he said the situation remains completely normal and under control.

No Rise in Edible Oil Prices

Rejecting rumours of a spike in edible oil prices, the traders’ association said cooking oil prices have actually reduced in recent weeks.

Chhatoi said there has been no increase in edible oil prices due to petrol or diesel price hikes. Instead, prices have been gradually declining compared to previous rates.

He added that fuel price hikes alone would not lead to an increase in essential commodity prices unless the central government imposes higher import duties on such goods.

Traders Prepared to Handle Panic Buying

The association also said it is fully prepared to manage the situation if panic buying similar to fuel station rushes occurs in the market.

Strict monitoring is being carried out over warehouses and supply chains to ensure uninterrupted availability of commodities.

Chhatoi explained that minor fluctuations in the prices of pulses and some food items are routine market trends and should not be linked to the recent fuel price increase.

Public Urged Not to Panic

The traders’ association appealed to consumers and retailers not to panic or purchase goods in excess quantity.

“There is neither a shortage of commodities nor any major price rise. People should avoid unnecessary panic buying,” the association secretary said.

Traders further assured that adequate stock is available and the supply system remains stable across markets.

The Odisha government has stressed the need to maintain uninterrupted supply of petrol and diesel across the state and ensure that fuel remains easily available to the public.

A high-level meeting with representatives of major oil companies was held at the State Secretariat under the chairmanship of Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister Krushna Chandra Patra on May 15, 2026.

Government Focuses on Stable Fuel Supply Chain

During the meeting, the minister advised oil companies to keep the fuel supply chain stable and prioritise public interest amid recent concerns over fuel availability in some areas.

Officials informed that petrol and diesel are currently available in sufficient quantities across Odisha and supply to all petrol pumps remains normal.

The government also urged citizens not to panic or purchase fuel beyond their actual requirements, as there is no shortage of petrol or diesel in the state.

Oil Companies Assure Adequate Fuel Availability

Representatives of oil companies assured the government that fuel stocks remain adequate and the supply network is functioning smoothly.

They acknowledged reports of temporary shortages at a few petrol pumps and promised to take immediate steps to resolve such issues quickly.

The companies appealed to the public to remain calm and avoid panic buying, which could create unnecessary pressure on the fuel distribution system.

Senior Oil Company Officials Attend Meeting

The meeting was attended by senior officials from major oil marketing companies, including Indian Oil Corporation State Head Kamal Seal, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited representative Ashish Pandey, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited representative Deepak Agrawal along with departmental officials.

The Odisha government reiterated that maintaining a smooth and uninterrupted fuel supply remains a top priority for the administration.

India continues to reel under intense summer heat, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that severe to very severe heatwave conditions are likely to persist across several parts of the country till May 22.

According to the IMD, temperatures are expected to rise further in northern and central India over the next few days, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.

Delhi Temperature May Touch 45 Degrees Celsius

The national capital New Delhi is expected to witness a sharp rise in temperature, with mercury likely to increase by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius.

On Sunday, the city is expected to experience partly cloudy skies along with strong winds blowing at speeds of 20–30 kmph and gusts reaching up to 40 kmph. Thunderstorm activity is also likely in some areas.

The maximum temperature in Delhi is expected to remain close to 44°C initially, but clear skies in the following days could push temperatures further up to 45°C. The IMD has also warned that nights will remain unusually warm, adding to public discomfort.

Heatwave Conditions to Persist in Several States

The IMD said heatwave conditions are likely to continue in parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, as well as some areas of Konkan and Goa.

Weather officials stated that temperatures in northern and central India are rising rapidly, while western Himalayan regions may witness an increase of 3 to 4 degrees Celsius in the coming days.

Experts warned that prolonged exposure to extreme heat could pose serious health risks, especially for children, elderly citizens, and outdoor workers.

Rain and Thunderstorms Likely in Northeast and Southern India

While most parts of the country continue to face scorching heat, several northeastern and southern states are expected to receive moderate rainfall and thunderstorms due to Kalbaisakhi activity.

States likely to witness rain and gusty winds include Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Light Rain Expected in Some Northern and Central States

The weather department has also forecast light rainfall in isolated places across Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh over the next few days.

The IMD has advised people to avoid direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours and remain hydrated as the severe heatwave continues across large parts of the country.

The southwest monsoon has further advanced into several parts of the southeast Arabian Sea, southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal, most parts of the Andaman Sea, the entire Nicobar Islands, and some areas of the Andaman Islands including Sri Vijaya Puram. According to weather forecasts, the monsoon is likely to reach Kerala by May 26.

At the same time, weather experts have warned that a possible “Super El Niño” condition may become active by June or July, which could significantly affect India’s monsoon rainfall this year.

‘Super El Niño’ May Trigger Drought-Like Conditions

Meteorological analysts have cautioned that the development of El Niño conditions over the Pacific Ocean may reduce rainfall during the monsoon season in India. The four-month monsoon season contributes nearly 70 percent of the country’s annual rainfall and plays a crucial role in agriculture, crop production, water reservoirs, and the overall economy.

This year, India may receive below-normal rainfall, raising fears of drought-like conditions in several regions. The country is expected to receive around 80 cm of rainfall during the monsoon season, lower than the long-term seasonal average of 87 cm.

Rainfall Likely to Decline in August and September

According to weather analysis agencies, rainfall during June may remain near normal. However, a significant decline in rainfall is expected during August and September due to strengthening El Niño conditions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier indicated that neutral conditions over the equatorial Pacific Ocean are gradually shifting toward El Niño conditions, which generally lead to reduced rainfall across India.

Heatwave Conditions Intensify in Odisha

Meanwhile, heatwave conditions have intensified across Odisha, with temperatures likely to rise by another 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next two days, according to the Meteorological Department.

Hot and humid weather conditions have increased discomfort across the state. On Sunday, temperatures crossed 40 degrees Celsius at nine locations.

Hirakud recorded the highest temperature at 41.5°C, followed by Jharsuguda and Sambalpur at 41.4°C each. Bhawanipatna recorded 41°C, Angul 41.1°C, while Talcher, Titlagarh, Sonepur, and Nayagarh also witnessed temperatures above 40°C.

In coastal Odisha, temperatures hovered between 37°C and 38°C. Balasore recorded 38°C, Chandbali 38.8°C, and Bhubaneswar 37.8°C along with severe humidity and discomfort.

Thunderstorm Alert Issued for Odisha

A well-marked low-pressure area remains active over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal. However, weather officials said the system is not expected to have any major impact on Odisha.

Despite this, the state is likely to experience Kalbaisakhi (nor’wester) thunderstorms over the next five days. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, rainfall, and gusty winds in several districts.

Officials said the gradual transition from neutral conditions to El Niño could eventually result in weaker monsoon rainfall during the season.

The petrol and diesel supply situation in Odisha is gradually returning to normal, especially in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, after days of panic buying triggered heavy rush at fuel stations. Long queues that were witnessed over the past few days have now largely disappeared, bringing relief to both consumers and fuel dealers.

Situation Expected to Normalize Within 2–3 Days

Utkal Petroleum Dealers’ Association General Secretary Sanjay Lath said the fuel supply situation across the state would become completely normal within the next two to three days.

According to him, fuel sales in the last five days were equivalent to nearly 15 days of regular consumption due to panic among the public. Despite the sudden surge in demand, he assured that Odisha has sufficient fuel stock available and there is no need for concern.

He stated that fuel business may remain slightly affected for another four to five days, but by tomorrow evening most petrol pumps are expected to have adequate stock.

Panic Buying Led to Artificial Fuel Crisis

Sanjay Lath explained that rumours regarding a possible fuel shortage had created panic among vehicle owners across the state. As a result, consumers who usually purchased fuel worth Rs 100 to Rs 200 began filling their tanks completely.

This sudden spike in demand created an artificial fuel crisis at several petrol pumps, leading to long queues and temporary shortages in some areas.

He clarified that Odisha generally maintains fuel reserves sufficient for 13 to 17 days and currently has adequate stock to meet public demand.

Action Against Dealers Hoarding Fuel

The association also warned that strict action would be taken against any fuel dealers found withholding sales despite having sufficient stock.

Sanjay Lath said oil companies would take necessary action against such dealers based on complaints received from the public or authorities.

Fuel Stations in Cuttack Back to Normal

The situation in Cuttack has also improved significantly. Petrol pumps across the city witnessed normal operations on Sunday, with no unusually long queues seen outside fuel stations.

Vehicle owners were seen purchasing fuel as usual, while petrol pump employees confirmed that there is adequate stock of petrol and diesel available.

Even though it was a weekend, fuel tankers continued arriving from depots on Saturday and Sunday, ensuring uninterrupted supply to the outlets.