On the nighttime of May 29, a 5.5 significance earthquake struck Bangladesh, with tremors felt in principal towns consisting of Dhaka, Sylhet, and Chattogram. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department pronounced that the epicenter turned into placed about 439 km to the east, in neighboring Myanmar. Thankfully, there had been no immediately reviews of casualties or harm. However, this quake highlights Bangladesh’s vulnerability to seismic pastime.
Bangladesh, a densely populated kingdom, sits precariously on a geological fault line. Despite common tremors, the united states isn’t always correctly prepared for a powerful earthquake that would motive catastrophic destruction. This lack of preparedness is concerning given the known risks.
The us of a’s geological and tectonic landscape is complicated, located on the intersection of the Indian, East Asian, and Burmese tectonic plates. The Eurasian plate actions north at a pace of 2 cm according to year over the Indian plate, that is moving northeast at about 6 cm in keeping with yr. Bangladesh has multiple full-size fault strains, along with the 300 km Dauki fault, the 150 km Madhupur fault, and the 300 km Surma basin fault. These faults, along side thirteen recognized earthquake-prone areas, pose a tremendous risk, especially in regions like Chattogram, the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and Jaintiapur in Sylhet. A main earthquake may want to wreak havoc in Dhaka, a city already identified as one of the international’s 20 most vulnerable to seismic pastime.
Historical facts display that Bangladesh has experienced 52 earthquakes of various intensities over the last 485 years, with 17 occurring in the closing 12 months by myself. Dhaka and its surrounding areas have witnessed 8 earthquakes in the past 12 years. The devastating 7.Eight-significance earthquake in Turkey on February 6, 2023, which resulted in over 50,000 deaths and substantial destruction, serves as a stark reminder of the ability outcomes of noncompliance with constructing regulations and unplanned urbanization—issues that still plague Bangladesh.
Dhaka, with a populace of around 20 million, is particularly susceptible. Many citizens live in poorly built homes that do not meet protection standards. A survey by RAJUK discovered that a 6.Nine-magnitude earthquake may want to cause almost 865,000 buildings in Dhaka to fall apart, ensuing in a financial lack of $25 billion. Alarmingly, ninety four.Seventy six percentage of systems in certain areas do now not meet structural and design necessities, and a substantial variety of homes violate building codes.
Public cognizance of earthquake protection protocols is restricted, notwithstanding the supply of records. Bangladesh has successfully mitigated different natural screw ups, including cyclones and floods, however now desires a complete earthquake preparedness application. This program have to contain authorities, NGOs, educators, and volunteers, utilising modern-day equipment and massive-scale volunteer training.
Earthquake catastrophe management entails each pre-earthquake measures and put up-earthquake precautions. Preventive measures encompass early warning structures, strict supervision, and automated systems to reduce off utilities inside seconds of a quake. Research need to awareness on earthquake-resistant technology, and government should enforce constructing codes carefully. The Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) 2020 desires better implementation to make certain that systems are built to withstand earthquakes.
Post-earthquake planning ought to decorate the capacity for spark off reaction, rescue, and evacuation operations, and make sure hospitals are organized with ok facilities and materials. The authorities has skilled forty six,000 out of a goal 66,000 volunteers, however greater sources and coordination are needed. Dhaka’s Urban Resilience Project, a collaboration between the Bangladesh authorities and the World Bank, has made progress by using developing an “Earthquake Hazard, Vulnerability, and Risk Map” and equipping teams with current tools.
International experts suggest setting up a dedicated, impartial organisation in Bangladesh for earthquake catastrophe risk discount, just like a hit models in different international locations. This proactive method is crucial for protecting lives and the economic system, aligning with Vision 2041 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Immediate action is crucial to save you devastating results. Now is the time to act, earlier than some other most important earthquake moves.