Bangladesh Gas Crisis Deepens as Fire Reduces Supply by a Quarter

A severe energy crisis is gripping Bangladesh as a devastating fire at one of its main gas storage facilities has further exacerbated existing shortages. The country, which imports about 30% of its natural gas needs, was already struggling with an energy crunch due to the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.

The blaze at the Moheshkhali facility on July 22 has reduced daily gas supply from 2.7 billion cubic feet to just 2.15 billion cubic feet, affecting homes, businesses, and key industries such as textiles.

Jubaida Anjum Saba, a local NGO worker, told AFP that she had not received cooking gas since July 22 and was forced to switch between an induction stove and clay oven. 'We haven't been getting cooking gas since July 22,' she said.

Factories, particularly those in the readymade garment manufacturing sector, are among the biggest losers from the crisis, with dozens sitting idle due to lack of gas. Factory owners rely on captive electricity generation as grid electricity is often of poor quality and prone to voltage fluctuations that can damage machinery.