Patna, March 11: As fears of shortage of LPG and petroleum products triggered panic buying across Bihar, the Bihar Police stepped in to manage the situation and issued an alert directing authorities to prevent chaos and hoarding. Although the government has stated that LPG stocks are sufficient and there is no need to panic, anxiety remains high among residents.

According to officials, the Special Branch of the Bihar Police issued an alert letter directing authorities to increase police patrols around petrol pumps and LPG agencies to prevent chaos and hoarding.

The directive was sent to Divisional Commissioners, Range IGs/DIGs, District Magistrates, and district police chiefs across the state.

The letter warned that tensions in West Asia, particularly involving Iran and the United States, could impact the supply of petroleum products, potentially causing panic buying.

Authorities were asked to remain vigilant against crowds, hoarding, and black marketing and to ensure law and order near fuel distribution points.

Bihar usually receives around 2.5 lakh LPG cylinders daily, including domestic and commercial cylinders supplied to homes, hotels, restaurants, schools, and hostels.

However, gas agencies claim that fresh supplies have not reached many areas for the past three days, meaning that only existing stock is currently being distributed.

In several districts, booking of commercial LPG cylinders has been temporarily stopped, while domestic consumers are waiting for hours to obtain cylinders.

Long lines have been reported outside gas agencies in multiple districts, including Gopalganj, Bhojpur, Darbhanga, Araria, West Champaran, Purnea, Supaul and other districts.

Consumers, including women and elderly residents, have been seen standing in queues from early morning, with many returning home empty-handed.

To control the situation, the government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, which allows authorities to regulate supply and prevent hoarding of essential items such as fuel and food.

Under the current measures, a second domestic cylinder can only be booked after 25 days of the previous delivery. OTP or biometric verification has been made mandatory during delivery, and oil refineries have been directed to increase LPG production.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has also formed a high-level committee of executive directors from three state-run oil companies to continuously monitor supplies.

Meanwhile, residents in the Koira block of Katihar district have alleged that some gas agencies are secretly selling cylinders at inflated prices.

According to locals, while the official LPG cylinder price is around Rs 1,012, some cylinders are allegedly being sold in the black market for Rs 1,500–Rs 2,000.

Consumers claim that agencies often tell regular customers that stocks are exhausted while selling cylinders privately at higher prices.

The fear of supply disruption has been further fueled by rumours linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

Many families are reportedly trying to stockpile LPG cylinders, which has worsened the shortage.

With complaints of shortages and alleged black marketing increasing, district administrations — particularly in Katihar — are under pressure to take strict action against hoarders and ensure fair distribution.

Residents say that unless the administration acts quickly, illegal trading and black marketing of LPG cylinders may continue, leaving ordinary consumers to bear the brunt of the crisis.

Jaipur, March 10: Parts of Rajasthan are likely to experience isolated heatwave conditions on Tuesday and Wednesday, particularly in the southwestern region, warns the Meteorological Department.

A slight drop in temperatures is expected from Thursday, while a new Western Disturbance may bring light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds on March 14–15, leading to a possible 2–3 degrees Celsius decline in temperatures across the state.

The heat in Rajasthan is intensifying steadily, and the India Meteorological Department’s Meteorological Centre Jaipur has issued a yellow alert for heatwave conditions in four districts, including Jaisalmer and Barmer, for March 10 and 11.

On Monday, Barmer recorded a maximum temperature of 40.4 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest location in the state.

Meteorologists have also forecast that temperatures across Rajasthan could rise by another 1 to 2 degrees Celsius over the coming week.

According to weather officials, most cities in the state experienced clear skies and strong sunshine over the past 24 hours.

However, a slight dip in temperature was observed in parts of Pilani and Chirawa during the afternoon as light clouds appeared.

Apart from Barmer’s 40.4 degrees Celsius, Pilani recorded a maximum temperature of 39.5 degress Celsius. The heat is increasing steadily in Jaipur as well.

On Monday, the city recorded a maximum temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature stood at 22.8 degrees Celsius.

Despite the intense daytime heat, warm conditions continued late into the evening. Due to the dry weather, humidity levels in the city dropped to around 30 per cent.

Meteorologists say below-normal rainfall across North and Central India in February has contributed to the rapid rise in temperatures.

With limited cloud cover and dry conditions, the ground surface is heating quickly under direct sunlight.

Currently, maximum temperatures across most parts of Rajasthan are ranging between 36 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius, which is 4 to 10 degrees above normal.

Weather officials said conditions will remain mostly dry for the next three to four days, with isolated heatwave conditions likely in the southwestern districts on March 10–11.

A slight drop in temperatures is expected from March 12.

Washington, March 9: Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel as the conflict involving Iran disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and rattled global markets.

US President Donald Trump defended the spike. He said higher oil prices were a temporary cost tied to confronting Iran’s nuclear threat.

“Short-term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!”

Crude oil prices almost touched $110 per barrel after major Middle East producers reduced output while the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed due to the Iran conflict, CNBC reported Sunday.

West Texas Intermediate crude jumped about 20.75 per cent, or $18.83, to $109.75 per barrel. Brent crude rose more than 18 per cent to about $109.48 per barrel, according to the report.

The jump marks one of the biggest weekly gains in oil futures trading since the early 1980s, it said.

The rally reflects fears that the Strait of Hormuz could remain disrupted. The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most critical oil routes. A large share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments moves through the Strait.

The Wall Street Journal reported that tanker traffic through the Strait slowed sharply as ships avoided the region after threats and attacks linked to the conflict.

Gulf producers have begun cutting output. Storage tanks are filling up. Without export routes, some producers are shutting wells or slowing production.

Financial markets reacted quickly.

Stocks in Asia dropped sharply when trading opened. Japan’s benchmark index fell about five per cent. South Korea’s market dropped more than seven per cent, The New York Times reported. Both economies depend heavily on imported oil and gas.

Analysts warn that prices could rise further if the conflict drags on. Market forecasts cited by financial trackers suggest crude could reach $143 per barrel by the end of the year.

Energy historian Daniel Yergin told The Wall Street Journal the situation could become “by far the biggest disruption in world history in terms of daily oil production.”

The conflict is also disrupting global trade routes. The Washington Post reported that missile and drone attacks in the region have slowed commercial shipping and damaged trade corridors between Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Economists say Asia and Europe could face stronger economic pressure than the United States. Both regions rely heavily on imported energy moving through the Persian Gulf.

The United States may be somewhat protected because of its large domestic oil production and growing energy exports. Still, higher global oil prices can affect American consumers. Rising fuel costs often lead to higher transport and food prices.

Oil shocks in the Persian Gulf have triggered major economic crises before. The 1973 Arab oil embargo and the 1979 Iranian revolution both caused dramatic price spikes and global recessions.