Fuel Shortage Hits Nepal Ambulance Services

Text of report by Nepalese newspaper The Himalayan Times website on 8 June, sourced to Himalayan News Service

Bhairahawa [headquarters of Rupandehi District, west-central Nepal], 7 June: Fuel crisis has gripped the western region to such an extent that even the ambulance service is on hold after the Western Regional Petroleum Dealers’ Association shut shop since last evening.

The association was forced to stop selling petroleum products after angry consumers coming to petrol pumps in town began attacking the petrol pump staffers when they were told that there was no petrol.

The number of vehicles plying on the roads has dropped drastically.

Reports said there was no petrol supply in districts within Rapti, Lumbini, Dhaulagiri and Gandaki zones of the western region. A dozen-odd ambulances belonging to different government and non- government organizations which were plying in Rupandehi District till yesterday were grounded today.

Ambulance drivers said the service has been grounded since the supply of petrol was stopped yesterday evening.

Dang, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Kapilvastu, Gulmi, Palpa, Syangja and Nawalparasi districts have been badly hit by the fuel crisis. Very few vehicles were plying there.

Member of the Lumbini Builders’ Association and Ambulance Services Committee Binay Gyawali said ambulance service had to be put on hold due to the prevailing fuel crisis.

Originally published by The Himalayan Times website, Kathmandu, in English 8 Jun 08.

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