The ongoing gas crisis, triggered by a fire at a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Cox’s Bazar, is unlikely to ease anytime soon, leaving millions of households in Dhaka and surrounding areas struggling to cook.
The accident has reduced the country's total gas supply to below 2,150 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), down from an average of around 2,700 mmcfd that had been maintained over the past year, despite the national daily demand standing at nearly 3,800 mmcfd.
The fire at the FSRU operated by Excelerate Energy at Moheshkhali on July 21 damaged one of its two boilers, forcing it to suspend operations, further plummeting the gas supply.
International expert teams from the UK and the United Arab Emirates have been working at the terminal since Thursday to repair the technical damage.
Tariqul Islam Khan, public relations officer of Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla), indicated that while efforts are underway, it will take more time before the facility can resume operation.
The severe supply shortfall has hit domestic kitchens the hardest, with gas pressure dropping to near zero or flickering feebly in many parts of the capital.
Residents in areas such as Mohammadpur, Kalabagan, Kafrul, Kazipara, West Tejturi Bazar, Mirpur, Rampura and Badda reported that stoves have remained unlit or unusable for days.
Stripped of regular gas supply, many low-income families have been forced to build temporary clay stoves and cook with firewood. Others who can afford it are turning to costly electric cookers or LPG cylinders, significantly increasing their daily household expenses.
Frustrated residents in several neighbourhoods, including Mohammadpur, have staged demonstrations and vented their anger on social media platforms over the persistent cooking crisis.
Beyond domestic kitchens, the shortage has severely impacted other sectors.
According to Petrobangla, gas-fired electricity generation has fallen by approximately 1,500 megawatts, raising concerns over widespread power cuts.
Long queues of vehicles have formed at CNG filling stations across the city, while industrial production has slowed down due to low gas pressure.
Petrobangla issued a statement apologising to consumers for the unexpected disruption and assured that technical teams are working continuously to restore the terminal.
Meanwhile, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC warned that low gas pressure will persist across Dhaka and adjacent districts until the situation improves.