Will Dhaka hit a strong earthquake?

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Experts are divided on the possibility of a major earthquake hitting Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh – some believe there is a risk while others argue that there is no such concern.

However, both sides agree that it is important to remain vigilant and proactive in order to save lives.

A mild earthquake hit Dhaka and surrounding areas around 5:57 am on Friday.

Although no damages or injuries were reported immediately, the event sparked various discussions on social media as its epicenter was close to the capital and the shock was stronger as a result.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the magnitude of the earthquake was 4.3 on the Richter scale. The epicenter was located about 42 kilometers from Dhaka in Doha, at a depth of 10 kilometers below the earth’s surface.

Also Read – What happens if a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hits Dhaka?

Previously on April 30, a 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck Chittagong, with its epicenter located 70 km from Molayek in Myanmar.

On April 25, a 3.9-magnitude earthquake was recorded in Tarapoo district of Narayanganj.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, from 2018 to 2022, there were 57 earthquakes in Bangladesh.

This year, earthquakes occurred in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, Narayanganj and recently in Dohar, causing earthquakes in Dhaka city.

Some experts see these tremors as a precursor to a larger earthquake.

Expert opinions

According to Dr. Mehdi Ahmad Ansari, a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering in Buet who specializes in geotechnical and earthquake engineering, there has been no major earthquake in Bangladesh in the past 100 years, and given a 135-year cycle, any 7 magnitude earthquake can occur in the country.

Professor Ansari explained that there are five main sources of earthquakes in the region, with the events recorded in 1869, 1885, 1930 and 1938.

“The earthquake of 1885, which occurred near what is now the Jamuna Bridge in Sherpur, occurred approximately 135 years ago, and it is likely that Bangladesh will experience a magnitude 7 earthquake on this timeline,” he said.

He further noted that the boundaries of the first plate are in Cox’s Bazar, the boundaries of the second plate were directed towards Comilla and the boundaries of the third plate were directed towards Assam, all the sources being about Dhaka; Thus, if an earthquake occurs 100 to 200 km from the capital city, severe damage is expected.

On the other hand, former director of the Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) Fazlul Karim Azad believes that despite being in an active earthquake zone, Dhaka is not at risk of significant damage from distant faults. So don’t panic.

Also Read – Earthquake management: How prepared is Bangladesh for disaster?

Azad also noted that Bangladesh is located in an active seismic zone, with geological conditions that lead to major earthquakes occurring in the vicinity.

“The Shillong Plateau, a highland similar to the Highlands, has large geological faults in the north and south. The southern fault extends for more than 300 km and is known as the Daoqi fault, adding that the northern fault runs parallel to the Brahmaputra River in India and is a more prominent fault, although it cannot Easily seen from the roof.

“This fault caused a major earthquake in 1897, which caused severe damage to the Muktagha in Mymensingh but only minor damage to the minaret of a mosque in the Chokbazar of Dhaka,” said Azad.

Azad emphasized that although there were no tall buildings at that time, historical structures such as Lalbagh Fort and Ahsan Manzil were not damaged during that earthquake.

Therefore, he claimed that Dhaka would not suffer serious damage from a remote fault.

In the aftermath of the recent devastating earthquake in Turkey, many people are worried about the possibility of a major earthquake in Dhaka; But Azad stressed that there is no need for excessive panic.

Urgent action

According to Dr. Mehdi Ahmad Ansari, multi-storey buildings in Bangladesh need to be made earthquake resistant as soon as possible in light of the recent earthquakes.

He stressed that Bangladesh has the technical expertise and capacity to achieve this, but urgent government intervention is necessary.

“City corporations in major cities across the country should examine whether apartment buildings are earthquake resistant or not. If any issues are found, measures should be taken to strengthen the structures,” Ansari added.

Engineer Iqbal Habib stated that the epicenter of the earthquake reached the city of Doha, which led to the threat reaching the doorstep of Dhaka residents’ homes, which is an alarming matter.

“Although the strength of the earthquake was low, the feeling of shock was strong as it was very close to Dhaka,” said Iqbal Habib.

Also read – What to do during an earthquake

Fortunately, the tremor did not result in significant damage; However, if the authorities and the population do not remain vigilant, there is nothing left to do in the event of a major earthquake, he said.

There is no system in place for checking premises, nor is there any certainty of medical treatment available in hospitals. There are no open spaces where people can congregate for safety. He warned that given the current state of the gas lines, many lives could be lost in a fire if a major earthquake occurred.

Habib pointed to the severe lack of awareness in the country, with people not being aware of the necessary procedures.

“However, there is still an opportunity for us to prepare ourselves. It is time to inspect each building and declare it safe or unsafe. If the government does not take action, we will not be able to prepare ourselves for the inevitable,” Habib said.

“At this critical moment, personal awareness and government initiatives are of paramount importance,” he added.

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