We are concerned that Dhaka is at high risk as an 8-magnitude earthquake may hit the capital anytime. State Minister for Relief and Disaster Management Mohibur Rahman says that at least 20 percent of buildings will collapse while lakhs of people will be trapped if an earthquake measuring a magnitude of 8 on the Richter scale jolts the capital.
Several earthquakes in the last few years shook different parts of the country, including Dhaka, Sylhet and Chattogram, reminding us of the need to get prepared for a larger one that can strike any time. Earthquakes have created panic among the people of the city as experts predict that these are mild tremors ahead of a big one.
Many buildings of the big cities have become dangerous for dwelling due to poor constructions as these were built breaching their designs and flouting the rules. And most buildings have not been constructed and designed to withstand earthquakes.
Besides, underground gas pipelines and narrow lanes have turned the areas especially in old part of the capital city into dangerous ones. As earthquakes cannot be predicted, the authorities concerned and experts will have to devise disaster plans how people could communicate in an emergency.
Government and different non-governmental organisations also have to build strong awareness among the people how and in what way they can save their lives if earthquake hits their locality. Experts on several occasions cautioned that violation of building code and defiance of safety issues during the construction of high-rises put thousands of people’s lives at risk.
Such unplanned urbanisation, violation of building code, carelessness and a lack of supervision by the authorities would also deteriorate the situation if earthquake jolts the cities. With so many vulnerable buildings in these cities, including capital Dhaka, we fear that many people may die if a strong earthquake jolts them.
20 percent of buildings will
collapse while lakhs of people will be trapped if
an earthquake measuring
8-magnitude jolts the capital
According to experts, violation of building code and defiance of safety issues during construction of high-rises have exposed around 18 million people
in and around the capital to earthquakes. Experts fear that between 100,000 and 150,000 people may be killed if a strong earthquake hits Dhaka. The government will have to achieve good progress in earthquake preparedness in this regard. The government agencies, including Rajuk, also must be strengthened to stop the construction of risky buildings as well as retrofit or remove old risky buildings.
As recurrent tremors with small magnitudes indicate a bigger earthquake, the government will have to take defensive measures alongside building awareness. Earthquakes frequently take place in different countries and thus they have developed disaster-resilient infrastructure and social systems. The government should form volunteer teams in urban areas. Bangladesh is among the earthquake-prone countries, so we all need to remain conscious. Steps must be taken to assess the earthquake risk of private buildings in Dhaka and prepare a risk sensitivity database for other metropolitan cities.
Dhaka, one of the most densely populated cities in the world, sits on top of a fault buried under thick sediments, which could trigger a massive earthquake, says a study. The magnitude of the earthquake could be 8.2 to 9 and the damage could be severe.
At least 140 million people living in the region -- Bangladesh, eastern India and parts of Myanmar -- could be affected, according to the study. Researchers, however, could not say when earthquake would occur -- whether it is imminent or would occur after 100 years.
The study has found evidence that the northeastern corner of the Indian subcontinent is actively colliding with Asia, potentially posing a major earthquake risk to the region. Therefore, it is essential to take coordinated steps and preparations involving all organisations concerned to face any possible earthquake.
