Kathmandu, Oct. 5 -- As cooking gas supplies become increasingly erratic and shortages persist, Nepali consumers are turning to electric stoves as an alternative. The rise in demand has also begun to push up prices, traders say.

Import figures from the Department of Customs show a sharp increase in shipments of electric cooking appliances, including induction and infrared stoves and rice cookers, during the first two months of the current fiscal year, which began in mid-July.

In the first two months alone, Nepal imported induction stoves worth Rs43.78 million, with 19,508 units entering the country, according to the department. Imports of infrared stoves were even higher, at 41,229 units worth Rs87.54 million.

During the same period a ...