Dhaka Households Reel from Severe Gas Shortages Amid National Crisis
The gas crisis in Bangladesh has left Dhaka households struggling to meet their basic needs. For two to three months, residents across several areas have endured shortages, forcing them to incur additional expenses on electricity, LPG, and meals from restaurants.
Despite paying their monthly gas bills, families are receiving little or no supply. In Dhanmondi, residents said they had received no gas for two months, while in Lalbagh, housewife Faria Ahmed Borsha reported that her family got virtually no gas for three to four months, despite paying Tk1,080 every month.
The national gas shortage has intensified following a July 21 fire at Excelerate Energy's floating LNG terminal, which damaged electrical systems and cut supply by around 450 million cubic feet per day. While partial supply was later restored, the disruption added to shortages affecting households, industries, and power generation.
Experts say there is no immediate remedy for the crisis, but expanding domestic gas production could provide some relief. The shortages are also affecting industries heavily reliant on gas supply, with textile, knitwear, dyeing, and finishing factories operating below capacity or shutting down entirely.