Nepal earthquake, a warning for Bangladesh

FE Team | Published: November 05, 2023 19:46:51

The shocking earthquake that has just jolted Nepal and killed at least 157 people has also left lessons to be learnt by Bangladesh. Our country's geographical position has made us vulnerable to earthquakes. As there had not been any major earthquake since more than a century, the risk has become more tangible for us. We just cannot overlook the possibility of an earthquake to happen in Bangladesh. So, preparations for minimising the damage must start from this moment. Faulty buildings should be marked and necessary steps taken to make people safe. The way high-rise buildings are surfacing in Dhaka city, it could be presumed, there would be a huge loss of life and property in case of a major earthquake. Many buildings in Dhaka city and elsewhere in the country are built by people who have no knowledge of architecture or structural design. They are built with advice from masons or contractors. These buildings can become death traps if a disaster strikes. Then there are many age-old dilapidated buildings in the old part of Dhaka city. They pose a serious threat to life and property in case of a strong tremor.
So, we think both the authorities concerned and the people should be extremely wary of it and take some measures in advance to minimise damage. The government should not waste time since the outcome of any negligence can be catastrophic. Also, we need to make our people aware of what to do and what not to do during an earthquake. As soon as a quake is felt, we should keep ourselves cool. If you are at home, you have to take shelter in the corner of the wall, under the hard bed or table. The safest way is to stay under the open sky. The elevator should not be used when leaving house and the head should be covered with a pillow or a thick towel. To keep people free from the horror of quakes, the media should raise public awareness about this natural disaster.
Abu Elias Linkon,
Banasree, Dhaka,
lightening_sparkle@yahoo.com