Doha • Shortage of diesel has hit the local market again after almost a year of the first diesel crisis, says an Arabic daily. Truck drivers and salesmen at petrol stations across the country say there is a severe shortage of the fuel.

The crisis has caused serpentine queues of trucks to be formed in front of several filling stations. Some heavy vehicles are causing traffic jams in Doha and its suburbs as they roam around fuel stations in search of a few gallons of diesel.

The manager of a leading petrol station said there was a steep rise in the demand for fuel. “We felt that there was a shortage a few weeks ago as vehicles began to line up for diesel supply. We are getting less than the quantity we requested,” he said. Woqod, the sole distributor of petroleum products in the local market, has failed to meet the current demand.

A driver said that he has to visit several stations in Doha and its outskirts to get adequate supply of diesel. “The problem has worsened in the past few days. I just tried to fill from Al Mana petrol station in Salwa Road and came here (to Teyseer) only to find this long queue," he pointed out.

Some people have expressed concerns that the diesel shortage might affect businesses and will further push up the inflation rates.