Bangladesh Is Capping Fuel Sales Just as Durga Puja Starts on 16 October, Here's What the UK Tells Travellers

The UK Foreign Office updated its Bangladesh travel advice on 9 October 2026 to flag Durga Puja, 16 to 21 October, alongside caps on fuel sales that may delay transport. Bangladesh as a whole is not on the FCDO's avoid list, but three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts are, and the page warns that a trip against that advice can void your travel insurance.

What does the FCDO say about Durga Puja?

Expect large crowds, increased security and traffic disruption around festival sites and Hindu temples from 16 to 21 October. The page states there has been intercommunal violence during previous festivals, and it tells travellers to stay alert, avoid crowds where they can, follow local media and obey local authorities. Public celebrations are expected throughout the festival, so in Dhaka and other cities the disruption is not confined to one day.

How do the fuel caps affect your trip?

They can slow you down, so build in slack. The FCDO says Bangladesh faces energy and fuel shortages linked to global supply disruptions, and that measures including caps on fuel sales may cause transport delays. Its advice is to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel and keep up with local media. In practice that means not scheduling a tight connection between a long road transfer and an onward flight, particularly during festival week when roads are already busy.

Could Middle East airspace closures hit your flight?

Yes, even if Bangladesh is your only destination. The FCDO says escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures and delayed and cancelled flights, and tells you to check the advice for any transit countries and confirm with your airline or tour operator. If you route via the Gulf, you should know your rights: a cancelled flight generally brings rebooking or refund entitlements from the airline, whereas your insurer decides what happens with extra costs. Read the policy’s wording on airspace closures and ‘known events’ before you buy, not after.

Is it safe to go, and what about the floods?

For most of the country the FCDO does not advise against travel, so the answer for a careful visitor is yes, with extra planning. The flood warning is specific: flash floods and landslides have affected parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Cox's Bazar and Sylhet, and floods can arrive with little warning and disrupt transport, utilities and access to services. It points travellers to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre and the Meteorological Department. Keep copies of your insurance policy and the assistance number on your phone.

What if you are linking Bangladesh with Nepal?

Many travellers pair Dhaka with Kathmandu. The same rule applies on both legs: festival weeks fill flights and roads, and early bookings protect you. For Nepal, autumn is the best trekking season, and our guides can fit a route around your arrival date, for example the 9-day Annapurna Base Camp trek.

Cover photo: Press Information Department via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain). Section photos: Ferdous Hasan via Pexels (Pexels licence); Joydeb Biswas via Pexels (Pexels licence); Kujtim Shabani via Pexels (Pexels licence); Josh Withers via Pexels (Pexels licence); Asif Al Naeem via Pexels (Pexels licence).