A severe gas shortage across Bangladesh has nearly halted production at textile mills, dyeing and finishing plants and other industries, according to a report published on August 17. Gas pressure began improving in some areas from Sunday afternoon, but supplies had not returned to normal in places including Bhaluka in Mymensingh and Sreepur in Gazipur. Industry owners described the roughly 20-day disruption as unprecedented, citing factory closures, reduced output and delayed deliveries.

Bangladesh currently needs 3,800 million cubic feet of gas daily but has supply capacity of 2,700 to 2,800 million cubic feet. A fire shut one LNG terminal on July 21, worsening the shortage, although both LNG terminals were operating on Sunday. Experts said the deeper problem is declining production from older domestic fields without sufficient output from new fields or wells.

Industry associations said factories are operating below capacity, while air shipments and overtime are increasing costs. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said resolving the energy crisis could take at least two years. Experts urged higher domestic gas production, bringing Bhola gas into the national grid and improving energy efficiency.