Kathmandu, March 12
Rising tensions in the Middle East have begun to affect the supply of cooking gas in Nepal. Several gas distribution depots have closed, while those that remain open are seeing long queues of consumers.
A similar scene was visible early this morning in the Balaju Industrial Area, where consumers lined up with empty cylinders from early hours. Some have managed to return home with filled cylinders, but the number of people receiving gas remains limited.
The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has heightened tensions across the Gulf region. The Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route bordering Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, has also been affected by the conflict, disrupting the transportation of gas and other petroleum products through the passage.
The disruption has had global repercussions.
Nepal imports cooking gas and petroleum products through India. However, as supply chains have also been affected in India, the impact has begun to reach Nepal as well. The Nepal Oil Corporation, which oversees the distribution of petroleum products, has been trying to manage the situation, but the problem has yet to be resolved. Most consumers say they are facing a shortage of cooking gas.
