In Hpakant Township of Kachin State, almost all filling stations are closed, causing an acute shortage of gasoline, locals said.

Almost all filling stations in the town of Hpakant, Longhkin village and surrounding areas have been closed since 5 days ago. The region is now facing a severe shortage of gasoline, a Longhkin villager told KNG.

“Today, almost all filling stations are closed. Yesterday, one or two stations were open but they weren't open all day though. It can be said that the entire Hpakant-Longhkin region is facing this disturbing situation now”, he said.

As of February 15th, only 2 filling stations in Longhkin village and 3 or 4 in Hpakant town were open in the morning. But now, almost all stations have stopped selling gasoline but are selling diesel only, locals said.

“We don't use much diesel here. I can't buy gasoline because the stations are closed. At the moment, roadside small shops are selling gasoline by the bottles. But you can't buy a lot”, a Hpakant resident explained.

The price of gasoline sold at roadside shops is 3000 to 4000 kyat per bottle, while at filling stations, the price of diesel is up to 14000 kyat per gallon.

In Hpakant, the well-known filling stations such as Shwe Sin Win, Kyel Sin Lin, Htate Tan Aung, Taw Win, etc. are all closed today.

The Military Council has restricted the importation of gasoline into Hpakant Since before February 6th, so the filling stations in the town are closed due to low fuel reserves, locals said.

Mohnyin-Indawgyi-Hpakant and Mogaung-Namya-Hpakant Roads are mainly used for importing fuel and other goods to Hpakant but the former one has been closed indefinitely by the Military Council.