Baghdad prepares for siege

Baghdad prepares for siege

Paul Wood BBC Middle East correspondent in Baghdad

Baghdad's citizens try to secure a water supply with barrels and tanks

In the al-Shuga district of Baghdad a large crowd is jostling at a metal shutter which is open just a tiny crack.

People are handing vast wads of Iraqi dinars through the metal grille and are being passed plastic bags in return.

The sign here says: "Plastic bags to store water".

People have heard what President George W Bush has said - they think the water is not going to last very long and they are taking away the means to ensure their supply for the next few days.

Soaring prices

There is a look of anxiety written on many people's faces here.

Through the grille, it is clear there are only a few of these plastic bags left.

The value of the US dollar to the Iraqi dinar has soared

People now jostle to make sure they get their supply.

The price has risen from 500 dinars per kilogram to 2,500 - a fivefold increase.

These price rises are reflected in the food market.

The price of bottled water has gone up from 2,000 dinars to 5,000.

The price of potatoes - it is the season in Iraq - has soared from 250 dinars a bag to 700.

All across the city, food prices rose between 200 and 400% in the few hours hours after the announcement of President Bush's ultimatum.

People know now they have to get ready - they have to prepare for the bombing.

One Baghdad housewife said she had just sold her wedding ring to buy extra supplies for her family.

In the main maternity hospital it was reported that 11 heavily pregnant women had asked for Caesarean sections to avoid giving birth during air raids.

The people are not fleeing the city, but for Iraqis all hope of a peaceful end to this crisis has now evaporated.