The severe gas crisis in Brahmanbaria has entered its third day, leaving approximately 26,000 residential and commercial customers suffering from a complete suspension of supply.
The sudden disruption, which began on Wednesday afternoon due to an acute liquefied natural gas (LNG) shortage and adverse weather blocking national supplies, has completely shut down five filling stations and 17 gas-reliant industrial factories across the district.
With the gas supply virtually cut off, residential consumers are facing immense difficulties and are relying on earthen stoves and cylinder gas to cook their meals. While a few areas continue to receive a nominal gas supply, the pressure remains extremely low and flickering, leading to an overwhelming surge in crowds at local hotels and restaurants.
Bakhrabad Gas Distribution in Brahmanbaria Deputy General Manager (Sales) Engineer Md Shafiqul Haque confirmed that the district has about 26,000 residential and commercial consumers in total.
He explained that imported LNG meant for gasification at the Maheshkhali Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) terminal cannot be loaded due to hostile weather conditions in the Bay of Bengal. This has triggered a drop in overall supply and pressure, resulting in the current crisis.
“We cannot say yet when the problem will be resolved,” Haque added.
According to an emergency notice issued by Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited (BGDCL) on Wednesday, adverse weather conditions have disrupted the LNG supply from the FSRU, causing national-level natural gas supply to fall to an unexpected level.
As a result, low gas pressure is currently prevailing across BGDCL’s entire distribution network, including the districts of Cumilla, Noakhali, Chandpur, Feni, Lakshmipur, and Brahmanbaria.
