Bangladesh's gas crisis hits factories, homes and transport

Bangladesh faces a severe gas crisis that is affecting factories, homes, and transportation. The country was once self-sufficient in natural gas, but production has declined as older fields become depleted while demand continues to rise. This has led to closures of major fertilizer plants, causing power cuts, labor losses, and protests over fuel shortages.

The crisis has also forced textile plants to cut production or shut down entirely, as the country is a major global exporter of garments that contribute significantly to exports. At home, domestic gas supply is erratic, leading to blackouts and forcing many to rely on wood-burning stoves and facing extreme heat without proper cooling.

The government, while investing in LNG imports and new drilling rigs, acknowledges that a long-term solution lies in transitioning to renewable energy sources, potentially within two years.