India's severe liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shortage, triggered by the US-Israeli conflict disrupting Gulf energy supplies, has forced restaurants nationwide to halt deep-frying food. 60 per cent of India's LPG imports come from Gulf nations, but dwindling supplies and the Strait of Hormuz closure have created a critical crunch. Crematoriums have also switched to electric furnaces, and 20 per cent of Mumbai hotels face closure. The crisis, impacting Pakistan and Bangladesh similarly, has led to price gouging, hoarding, and government austerity measures.

Restaurants are advised to shorten hours and use energy-saving lids, while Rs1,800 cylinders now fetch double the black-market price in Mumbai. This energy scarcity threatens food service viability and consumer prices across South Asia.