Residents of Chattogram city's Halishahar and Khulshi areas have been experiencing a severe gas crisis since yesterday after a pipeline of Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) was severed accidentally during maintenance work

Petrobangla, on Thursday, issued a press release stating that the supply of liquefied natural gas in Maheshkhali would be partially suspended from yesterday to Monday noon due to maintenance work.

According to Tariqul Islam Khan, deputy general manager (public relations) of Petrobangla, one of the two floating LNG terminals at Maheshkhali Floating Storage Regasification Unit, each with a capacity of 500 MMcf/d, is currently undergoing maintenance work, leading to a countrywide shortage in supply.

"The problem will be resolved gradually, starting Monday," he mentioned.

However, according to Shafiul Azam Khan, general manager (engineering services division) at KGDCL, a supply pipeline, 10 inches in diameter, was accidentally severed under a bridge in Halishahar's Barapool area during the excavation of a local canal. The excavation work is part of a mega project initiated by the Chattogram Development Authority to mitigate waterlogging in the port city.

"Around 250 MMcf of gas is being supplied to Chattogram against its 320 MMcf demand. This should suffice as one of the two fertiliser units in the division remains closed," he said, adding that emergency repair work has been initiated to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

To cope with this crisis, many, like Halishahar residents Mizanur Rahman and Abdus Sabur, resorted to induction stoves and rice cookers. Meanwhile, others had to rely on restaurants for their daily meals.

"Gas supply has remained suspended since this morning. There is no induction cooker in my house, so I have to buy food from outside for my family," said Shaila Binte Hasan of the Khulshi area.