Dhaka, February 16 – As Ramadan approaches, a sudden gas crisis in Bangladesh has caused anxiety among many households in the capital, Dhaka, while concerns are growing over the rising cost of essential commodities, local media reported on Monday.
For a resident of Old Dhaka, Rahela Begum, the uncertainty surrounding gas supply has deepened her worries, as the disruption affects her daily cooking.
"I was preparing lunch for my son. After processing the fish and vegetables, I found that there was no gas in the stove. The gas supply was interrupted throughout the day, and I had to buy food from a hotel. I don't know when the gas supply will be restored. I am worried that this will continue during Ramadan," Rahela told the Bangladeshi media outlet UNB.
Another resident, Kohinur Begum from Shantinagar in the capital, who experienced a similar situation on Sunday, stated that the extremely low gas pressure made it difficult to cook meals, and she remains uncertain whether the supply will stabilize before Ramadan.
Reports suggest that for thousands of families in Dhaka, the uncertainty surrounding the growing gas crisis continues to be a major concern.
Meanwhile, a fresh spike in the prices of several essential commodities has intensified the struggles of low- and middle-income households.
Anisur Rahman, a resident of Kalabagan in the capital, said that the combined pressure of gas shortages and rising prices has made life increasingly difficult for people in some areas.
"It is not only the gas crisis, but also the rising prices of essential goods that are causing concern ahead of Ramadan," Anisur stated.
Last month, the Awami League asserted that the gas crisis unfolding across Bangladesh is a direct result of state neglect under the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, which has allowed a critical public utility to drift into chaos while hiding behind the language of "reform."
According to the party, the current crisis in Bangladesh is not a sudden shock, an unavoidable global spillover, or a supply issue, but an "undeniable failure of governance" and yet another example of "misrule" under the Yunus regime.
"This crisis did not emerge overnight. Bangladesh has faced far worse global energy disruptions in recent years and still managed to prevent a system-wide collapse. Today, however, gas shortages persist even when consumers are willing to pay, LPG cylinders vanish from markets despite ongoing imports, and supply chains remain visibly unmanaged. These are not symptoms of scarcity; they are symptoms of administrative paralysis," the Awami League stated.