LPG Shortage 2026

Plainclothes police were deployed to gas depots across the Kathmandu Valley to monitor sales amid complaints of black marketing and artificial shortages. The government said it would tighten monitoring and take legal action against businesses hiding stock or charging above the fixed price.

Long queues formed outside Nepal Oil Corporation in Kathmandu as residents rushed to buy cooking gas amid fears of supply disruptions. The rush created an artificial shortage of LPG cylinders across the capital.

Nepal Oil Corporation resumed selling full 14.2 kg LPG cylinders on July 15, after previously distributing half-filled 7.1 kg cylinders during panic buying. Consumers then faced shortages amid allegations of hoarding and artificial scarcity.

LPG shortages spread across various parts of Nepal, and some consumers were waiting up to a week for a cylinder. The shortage followed the return to full-cylinder distribution after a period of half-cylinder sales.

Kathmandu Valley and other parts of Nepal reported a severe LPG cooking gas shortage, with consumers waiting weeks to buy cylinders. Officials said imports were sufficient, while distribution problems and hoarding were worsening the crunch.