Fuel shortages in Nepal: A hidden threat to health and livelihoods

Lately, social media is filled with images of citizens standing in long queues with half-full or open-capped empty LPG cylinders. In nearly every household, conversations revolve around LPG shortages and the rising prices of petrol and diesel. This brings back memories of the 2015–2016 India-Nepal blockade, when scarcity of fuel and cooking gas severely impacted people across the country.

This time, however, the crisis is linked to global events. Tensions at the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran’s actions have disrupted oil supplies, have driven a sharp rise in prices worldwide. Nepal, which relies almost entirely on India for its energy—from cooking gas to petrol—is walking a tightrope, as India is also struggling with shortages. Any disruption in the supply chain could hit households, hospitals, transport, and food security in both urban and rural areas.

Nepali families are already feeling the pinch as petrol, diesel, and LPG become harder to obtain. With cylinders running low and queues stretching for hours, households are struggling to make limited fuel last while keeping daily life running.

Many families may be forced to switch from LPG to firewood, kerosene stoves, or coal, which brings a double burden. Heavy reliance on firewood means smoke-filled kitchens, often without chimneys, especially in rural households, increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses for children and women who spend most of their time near cooking areas. At the same time, dependence on firewood increases the risk of deforestation and environmental degradation, creating long-term health and ecological hazards.

While some urban households might turn to induction stoves or other alternative energy sources, not every family can afford them. As fuel costs rise, families are forced to spend less on food, medicine, and other essentials.

In rural areas, where transport options are limited, the impact is even more severe. Without sufficient fuel, families may struggle to reach markets, schools, or health posts, making everyday survival a real uphill battle.

A major concern arises when we turn our attention to hospitals and health posts. Nepal’s healthcare system could be paralyzed by fuel shortages. Diesel powers hospital generators, providing electricity for ICUs, surgeries, and cold storage for vaccines and essential medicines. Without adequate fuel, hospitals may have to partially close critical services, and ambulances could struggle to operate on time, increasing the risk of death and complications for emergency patients, mothers, and newborns.

Rural health posts in mountain districts already operate under limited resources. Fuel shortages could severely affect supply chains, leaving facilities without essential medicines such as insulin, antibiotics, and vaccines.

Fuel shortages affect more than transport and hospitals; they directly threaten food security at the household level. As petrol and diesel prices rise, transporting food staples such as rice, wheat, lentils, and vegetables from farms to markets becomes more difficult and costly. This leads to higher prices for urban consumers, while farmers in rural areas may struggle to sell their produce, disrupting the entire supply chain. As a result, families may eat less or choose cheaper, less nutritious food, increasing the risk of malnutrition. Children, pregnant women, and older people are especially at risk, affecting growth, immunity, and overall health.

Mental health is another unavoidable concern. Fuel shortages and rising energy prices significantly increase the psychological burden on households already struggling to meet daily needs. Long queues for LPG cylinders, uncertainty about fuel supply, and rising living costs can trigger stress, anxiety, and frustration. At the same time, financial pressure can heighten tensions within families and communities, affecting overall well-being.

As transport becomes limited, many students are unable to attend school regularly, leading to higher absenteeism and dropout rates. Schools may also struggle to function due to a lack of fuel for transportation and electricity. At the household level, children, particularly girls, may take on additional responsibilities such as collecting firewood or helping with chores, leaving less time for study. As a result, education becomes a secondary priority in the face of survival needs, and these disruptions can have lasting effects on literacy, future employment opportunities, and overall health.