Nepal shifts to two-day weekends to tackle energy crisis

Nepal on Sunday announced a shift to a five-day work week for civil servants and educational institutions as it grapples with an energy crisis triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Until now, Saturday was the only weekly holiday in the Himalayan nation. Government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel said the new two-day weekend would come into effect this week, with offices operating from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

“Given the current strain caused by fuel shortages, government offices and educational institutions will remain closed for two days each week,” Pokharel said.

He added that authorities are also examining legal options to transition petrol and diesel vehicles to electric power, though no detailed plan has been outlined yet.

Nepal, a landlocked country of around 30 million people, depends heavily on India for its fossil fuel supplies, making it vulnerable to global price fluctuations.

The crisis has already forced sharp measures. Aviation fuel prices were nearly doubled earlier this week, while the state-run Nepal Oil Corporation continues to incur losses on other petroleum products despite recent price hikes.

In an effort to curb panic buying and conserve resources, Nepal last month began selling partially filled cooking gas cylinders and has urged citizens to reduce fuel consumption wherever possible.