South Asia battles fuel crunch amid Iran war fallout

Countries in South Asia, home to ​a fifth of the ​world's population and some struggling economies, have unveiled a ​number of measures to tackle the energy crisis triggered by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, which has squeezed supplies and raised prices.

Here is ‌a look ⁠at some ⁠of the measures rolled out so far.

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INDIA

* The government slashed excise ​duties on petrol and diesel. * Windfall taxes imposed on aviation fuel and ​dieselexports. * Emergency measures invoked to divert gas supplies fromnon-priority sectors to key users. * Oil refiners directed to increase production of liquefiedpetroleum ​gas.

PAKISTAN

* Government departments given 50% cut ⁠in fuel ‌allowancesfor two months. * Work week shortened to ​four days ​for government offices. * All offices to operate ⁠with 50% staff physically present. * Pakistan Super League, ​a franchise-based Twenty20 cricketleague, moved behind closed doors.

BANGLADESH

* ​Offices and banks operate for seven hours, shopping mallsto close by 7 p.m. * Offices to cut power consumption, including by avoidingexcessive lighting. * Ban on decorative lighting at events. * Reduction in fuel and energy use in public offices,restrictions on non-essential ‌travel.

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NEPAL

* One-day weekly holiday in schools and government officesextended to two days. * Government to make "legal arrangements" ​to convert ​petroland diesel vehicles ⁠to electric vehicles. * Price of aviation fuel more than doubled to avoid supplydisruption. * Petrol and diesel prices raised. * Cooking gas rationing ​in force.

SRI LANKA

* Wednesday declared a public holiday to help fuel suppliesgo further. * Train and bus services reduced. * Power tariffs raised for households and industries.

MALDIVES

* Seeking fuel supply from India. * Fuel prices raised to maintain supply.