Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a nationwide lockdown on Tuesday evening and warned people against crowding in public places, streets in Mumbai were nothing like what was expected. Shops and vegetable markets were crowded with people indulging in panic buying.

With a 21-day lockdown announced, people immediately stepped out of their homes to stock up. Shopkeepers, however, said it was exactly this kind of behaviour that was causing an issue. The state government and BMC have requested citizens to calm down and ensured a steady flow of essentials. While most complained of a shortage of packaged food items (Maggie, butter, bread etc), food grains and spices were available. Medicines and milk were other causes of concern.