The risk of a major earthquake should never be overlooked

March 29, 2025, 9:53 am

Nusrat Sultana

An earthquake is caused by the abrupt release of strain energy in the crust of the
Earth, which causes shaking waves to radiate outward from the source. It is a natural
disaster and capable of causing great damage within a short time. Recently, several
earthquakes have been felt in Bangladesh and its surrounding areas. On 28th March, South
Asia saw 7.7 and 6.4 magnitude earthquakes that were epicentre in Myanmar and destroyed
buildings in Myanmar, where the ruling junta proclaimed a state of emergency in some
parts, killing multiple people. Those earthquakes also brought down a tower that was under
construction in Bangkok. Though harm was not reported in our country, we cannot overlook
the risk of earthquakes.
Bangladesh is ideally situated between the plate borders of India and Eurasia, where
catastrophic earthquakes have previously occurred, according to the country's tectonic
structure and surrounding regions. Several geographical blocks around Bangladesh have
recently experienced earthquakes. According to research, Last 10 years, 552 earthquakes
with a magnitude of 4 or higher have struck within 300 km. of Bangladesh. Only From 2020
more than 86 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4 or higher were detected within 300 km. The
strongest had a magnitude of 5.9. But on 28th March, South Asia especially in Myanmar
faced a major earthquake with 7.7 magnitude, the distance from Dhaka to epicentre 597
kilometres. Experts warn that recent patterns over 60 recorded earthquakes since 2024
alone indicate an urgent need for comprehensive disaster preparedness. Its dense
population, ageing infrastructure and poor enforcement of building codes amplify these
dangers. Presenting a bleak Outlook of what is ahead unless something is done now.
Because Seismic experts consider recent repeated earthquakes of low to medium
magnitude as an advance warning for a massive, and potentially disastrous earthquake in
the near future, as these tremors fail to release the majority of the stress that accumulates
within fault rupture zone. Presentations both within the country and in surrounding regions,
especially near major cities, suggest that the nation as a whole faces earthquake risks.
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is the 20 most vulnerable cities globally to earthquakes.
In 2013 Rana plaza collapse, which claimed over 1,100 lives serves as a grim reminder of
the danger posed by poorly constructed buildings. In 2018, a survey showed that many
areas such as Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Pallabi, Rampura, Motijheel and Khilgaon fail to meet
structural and design standards. Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts and Jaintapur in Sylhet
are also identified as extreme risk zones. A high magnitude earthquake in these areas
unleashed a disaster of unimaginable scale in Dhaka.
Earthquakes can not precautionary. But certainly it is high time to be much more concerned
about the probable impending earthquake in order to minimize the loss of lives and property
in national interest. For better understanding of all the possibilities of earthquake risk
reduction, it is important to classify them in terms of the role that each one of them could
play. In March 2024, The Ministry of Disaster, Management and Relief (MoDMR) launched
Bangladesh's first sub national earthquake risk assessment, a proactive measurement
supported by the UN office for Disasters Risk Production (UNDRR) and the Global
Earthquake Model Foundation. This initiative integrates advanced probabilistic seismic
Hazard models, building exposure analysis and fragility evaluations to map vulnerability and

recommend actionable strategies. Key insights from the assessment reveal significant
shortcomings are fragile infrastructure, gaps of urban planning system and lack of public
awareness. Although the subnational assessment is an important first step, experts
emphasise that a cohesive, multi-sectoral Strategy is required to reduce the risk.
In this case, The Government and general public can play a role in reducing the risk of
frequent earthquakes. Like the government can implement and strictly enforce earthquake-
resistant building codes to ensure structures can withstand tremors. Develop and maintain
seismic monitoring systems to detect earthquakes early. Educate our citizens on earthquake
preparedness through drills, workshops, and educational programs. Establish well-equipped
emergency response teams and ensure well disaster management plans. Restrict
construction in high-risk earthquake-prone areas. Investing in scientific research to improve
earthquake prediction and mitigation strategies. General people can be prepared for a
sudden earthquake by Ensuring that their homes and workplaces comply with earthquake-
resistant building codes. We have to know how to react during an earthquake and
encourage our neighbours and local community to prepare for earthquakes together.
As there is no existing technology to predict earthquakes, social awareness and structural
development remain our key strategy. While we cannot stop natural disasters like
earthquakes, adopting proper precautions can significantly reduce damage. It is anticipated
that Bangladesh will successfully manage earthquake risks and their consequences before
we face extreme damage.

Nusrat Sultana
Student, Department of sociology
University of chittagong

An earthquake is caused by the abrupt release of strain energy in the crust of the
Earth, which causes shaking waves to radiate outward from the source. It is a natural
disaster and capable of causing great damage within a short time. Recently, several
earthquakes have been felt in Bangladesh and its surrounding areas. On 28th March, South
Asia saw 7.7 and 6.4 magnitude earthquakes that were epicentre in Myanmar and destroyed
buildings in Myanmar, where the ruling junta proclaimed a state of emergency in some
parts, killing multiple people. Those earthquakes also brought down a tower that was under
construction in Bangkok. Though harm was not reported in our country, we cannot overlook
the risk of earthquakes.
Bangladesh is ideally situated between the plate borders of India and Eurasia, where
catastrophic earthquakes have previously occurred, according to the country's tectonic
structure and surrounding regions. Several geographical blocks around Bangladesh have
recently experienced earthquakes. According to research, Last 10 years, 552 earthquakes
with a magnitude of 4 or higher have struck within 300 km. of Bangladesh. Only From 2020
more than 86 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4 or higher were detected within 300 km. The
strongest had a magnitude of 5.9. But on 28th March, South Asia especially in Myanmar
faced a major earthquake with 7.7 magnitude, the distance from Dhaka to epicentre 597
kilometres. Experts warn that recent patterns over 60 recorded earthquakes since 2024
alone indicate an urgent need for comprehensive disaster preparedness. Its dense
population, ageing infrastructure and poor enforcement of building codes amplify these
dangers. Presenting a bleak Outlook of what is ahead unless something is done now.
Because Seismic experts consider recent repeated earthquakes of low to medium
magnitude as an advance warning for a massive, and potentially disastrous earthquake in
the near future, as these tremors fail to release the majority of the stress that accumulates
within fault rupture zone. Presentations both within the country and in surrounding regions,
especially near major cities, suggest that the nation as a whole faces earthquake risks.
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is the 20 most vulnerable cities globally to earthquakes.
In 2013 Rana plaza collapse, which claimed over 1,100 lives serves as a grim reminder of
the danger posed by poorly constructed buildings. In 2018, a survey showed that many
areas such as Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Pallabi, Rampura, Motijheel and Khilgaon fail to meet
structural and design standards. Chittagong, Chittagong Hill Tracts and Jaintapur in Sylhet
are also identified as extreme risk zones. A high magnitude earthquake in these areas
unleashed a disaster of unimaginable scale in Dhaka.
Earthquakes can not precautionary. But certainly it is high time to be much more concerned
about the probable impending earthquake in order to minimize the loss of lives and property
in national interest. For better understanding of all the possibilities of earthquake risk
reduction, it is important to classify them in terms of the role that each one of them could
play. In March 2024, The Ministry of Disaster, Management and Relief (MoDMR) launched
Bangladesh's first sub national earthquake risk assessment, a proactive measurement
supported by the UN office for Disasters Risk Production (UNDRR) and the Global
Earthquake Model Foundation. This initiative integrates advanced probabilistic seismic
Hazard models, building exposure analysis and fragility evaluations to map vulnerability and