Developing quake-resistant building code

Of all the natural calamities, earthquake is the deadliest. It is unpredictable, too. It can happen in a second. If it is powerful, there is no escape from its destruction. Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to earthquakes. So, preparations for minimising the damage, if hit by a major quake, must start from this moment. Dhaka city should be the centre of attention in this regard as it is one of the most vulnerable cities. In the event of a major earthquake of 6.9 magnitude, 865,000 buildings are likely to collapse in Dhaka alone, according to a recent report prepared by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha. So, we think both the authorities concerned and the city's inhabitants should be deeply concerned about it and take some measures in advance to minimise the damage.
Many buildings in Dhaka city and elsewhere in the country are self-built by the people without any architectural and structural design. They are built taking advice from masons or contractors. These buildings can become death traps if a disaster strikes. Many multi-storey buildings in the capital city have been constructed flouting RAJUK's approved design. Also, they have been constructed without following any earthquake-resistant building code. Some of them have been constructed filling wetlands or lowlands. If a building is not designed properly or constructed without proper piling it may fall during an earthquake. So, we urge the authorities to form an earthquake-resistant building code that all buildings must follow when they are constructed.

Abu Elias Linkon,
Banasree, Dhaka,
lightening_sparkle@yahoo.com