Several import-dependent countries, particularly in South Asia and Southeast Asia, have implemented fuel/energy rationing or strict conservation measures to cope with shortages, panic buying, hoarding, and soaring costs (oil often exceeding $100/barrel). These are not full nationwide blackouts like Cuba's but targeted restrictions on fuel sales, allocations, or usage to stretch limited supplies.Key countries that have started rationing or equivalent strict measures include:
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Bangladesh: Implemented fuel rationing (e.g., limits like 15 liters/week for motorists on petrol/diesel, higher for public transport; daily sales caps in some cases). Universities and classes have been closed or curtailed to save energy; restrictions tied to the war's impact on imports.
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Sri Lanka: Introduced fuel rationing (e.g., weekly limits like 5 liters for motorcycles, 15 for cars; QR code-based authorization systems). Public sector operations scaled down, schools on four-day weeks, and "energy holidays" (e.g., mandatory closures on certain days like Wednesdays for officials).
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Myanmar: Strict fuel rationing due to acute shortages, disrupting transport, businesses, and humanitarian aid.
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Pakistan: Fuel conservation measures including long queues, four-day work weeks, school closures, work-from-home policies, and reduced allocations (e.g., 50% cuts for government vehicles in some periods).
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Nepal: Rationing of cooking gas (LPG cylinders filled only half capacity) and long queues for supplies.
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India: Rationing/prioritization of natural gas and LPG (e.g., cuts to industrial supplies to favor households; limits on fertilizer plants to 70% demand; invoked laws to prevent hoarding). Some regional or sector-specific restrictions amid shortages.
Other countries have adopted strong conservation steps (not always full rationing but close equivalents):
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Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam: Promoted work-from-home, four-day work weeks in public sectors, energy-saving rules (e.g., higher AC temperatures, relaxed dress codes), and limits on fuel/electricity use. Some reports of diesel shortages and pump limits.
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Egypt: Plans to ration/dim lights and conserve electricity/fuel, with reviews after a month.
Europe and other regions face soaring gas prices and potential future measures (e.g., EU considering price caps or conservation), but no widespread rationing reported yet. Gulf producers themselves (e.g., Qatar, Saudi Arabia) have seen production halts/damage but are not rationing domestically in the same consumer-facing way.This crisis is recent (escalating in March 2026), so measures are evolving rapidly—many focus on Asia due to heavy reliance on Gulf imports via the disrupted Strait. If the conflict prolongs, more countries (including in Africa or Europe) could follow suit.
The above is compiled with GROK.
MY INVESTING MUSE
The Dubai skyline with the landmark Burj Khalifa skyscraper (right) is pictured as a smoke plume rises from a fire near Dubai International Airport on Mar 16, 2026. (File photo: AFP)
We should be getting more updates about the impact. If the war drags on, there could not other challenges that include food, water and energy in the Middle East. There is also concern about other areas like food, semiconductor, MRI treatment and more.
It can be prudent to observe more, as most of the rules like “gold rises during war” is not happening. Can this be a mad rush to the door (to take profits)?
Let us monitor and it can be wise to review our positions.
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