Natural calamities like earthquakes highlight our helplessness against nature. Among various disasters, earthquakes are the most dangerous. Experts have long warned of strong earthquakes and tsunamis in Bangladesh. Frequent mild and moderate tremors indicate this risk. The pressing question is: how prepared is Bangladesh to deal with a major earthquake?
The last significant earthquakes in Bangladesh occurred in 1822 and 1918 along the Madhupur fault. In 1885, an earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck Manikganj near Dhaka. Since then, Bangladesh has not experienced a major earthquake, placing it in the earthquake red zone. This should prompt us to consider the potential severity of our situation and emphasise the need for caution and preparedness.
According to surveys by BUET, Dhaka has 1.3 million multi-storey buildings. Seventy-five per cent of these buildings are six stories or higher, making them particularly vulnerable in a magnitude 7 earthquake. Experts have long advocated for improved infrastructure and adherence to building codes. However, the unplanned construction of buildings, particularly in urban areas like Dhaka, raises fears of massive damage in the event of a moderate or large earthquake. To address these risks, we must first identify and demolish dangerous and irregularly constructed buildings. The quality of the soil should be thoroughly checked before construction. And building on filled canals and reservoirs should be strictly prohibited and penalised if necessary. Without these precautions, an earthquake could result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives.
It is crucial to understand what to do during and after an earthquake. Rescue workers must be specially trained to handle earthquake victims.
Sakibul Hasan
Student
Dhaka College
sakibulhasanlearning@gmail.com