The country's top earthquake specialists have urged the public to remain calm and steer clear of growing online misinformation after a series of mild tremors rattled parts of the country over the weekend.
At an emergency meeting in Dhaka on Monday, convened by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, scientists and disaster management experts emphasised that while the recent shocks were not a sign of an impending major quake, the country must move urgently to strengthen preparedness, said the CA Office.
"There is no reason for panic," several experts told the meeting, warning that false claims spreading on social media predicting major earthquakes within fixed timeframes were fueling unnecessary fear. No one, they said, can predict an earthquake by date or hour.
Yunus, who presided over the meeting at the Chief Adviser's Office, pressed specialists for written recommendations within the shortest possible time. "We do not want to remain idle, and we do not want to take unscientific steps either," he said. The government, he added, was "ready to take every necessary measure," including the formation of expert committees and one or more task forces as soon as consultations conclude.
The meeting followed two days of tremors felt across parts of the country, prompting renewed public anxiety and a wave of online rumors. Yunus said the recent deadly earthquake, referring to the region's fatal event days earlier, was a stark reminder of the stakes. "We must prepare so that such a tragedy is not repeated," he said.
Specialists from BUET, Dhaka University, MIST, Chittagong University, and the Meteorological Department presented assessments on seismic risks and the country's readiness. Despite Bangladesh's location near active tectonic zones, several academics noted that the country itself lies in a region of relatively low seismicity. Even so, they warned that low risk does not mean no risk and that unpreparedness could turn moderate earthquakes into disasters.
Experts urged the government to focus on four broad areas: public awareness campaigns, mandatory drills, infrastructure assessment, and stronger coordination with international and expatriate scientists. Young people, they argued, should be mobilized as community educators. "Indoor, outdoor, individual, and institutional action plans must be developed and shared widely," said one Dhaka University professor.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
