A natural gas shortage caused by the energy crisis has disrupted the work of restaurants, crematoriums, and educational institutions in South Asian countries, the Financial Times reports.

The crisis was triggered by delivery disruptions after the start of the US and Israeli military operation against Iran.

South Asian countries, which are heavily dependent on natural gas from the Persian Gulf, were among the hardest hit.

In India, crematoriums have switched to electric stoves, restaurants are reducing opening hours and not cooking dishes that require frying.

In Pakistan, a four-day work week has been declared for civil servants, and schools have been closed.

And in Bangladesh, university classes have been suspended and natural gas consumption has been limited.

These problems are further exacerbated by the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This has exacerbated competition in the natural gas market and led to major delivery disruptions in South Asia.