What’s really behind Nepal’s LPG crisis? Everything you need to know
Summary
Nepal is facing another LPG shortage as households in Kathmandu Valley and several districts line up for hours despite officials saying imports from India remain normal. The crisis is being driven by pent-up demand after months of half-filled cylinders, weak distribution, limited storage, and reports of hoarding and black marketing.
Key Points
- Households in Kathmandu Valley and districts like Rupandehi are struggling to get cooking gas cylinders, with long queues reappearing at depots and emergency distribution camps being organised.
- Officials say LPG imports from India have not fallen, and Nepal Oil Corporation data show no sustained supply cut, pointing instead to distribution failures and a post-rationing demand spike.
- The crisis began after Nepal Oil Corporation started selling half-filled cylinders in March amid West Asia conflict fears, then returned to full cylinders on July 15, unleashing pent-up demand.
- Analysts say poor cylinder tracking, inadequate storage, transport dependence on India, and black marketing are worsening the shortage.
