LPG Shortage Forces Indians Back to Dirtier Fuels Amidst Shipping Disruptions

• India faces a cooking gas supply squeeze due to US-Israel war with Iran, impacting Strait of Hormuz shipping.
• Some Indians are temporarily reverting to kerosene, coal, and biomass, with spikes in timber and cow dung sales.
• Government approves additional kerosene for states and allows restaurants to use alternative fuels to prioritize household LPG.
• India, the world's second-largest LPG importer, is highly dependent on imports, making it vulnerable to supply shocks.
• Experts warn of temporary reversal in clean cooking progress and increased health risks from indoor air pollution.