How a Friday morning earthquake in Dhaka left people in trauma and how to deal with it
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) reported that the epicentre was in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, about 13 km from Dhaka. The tremor lasted roughly 26 seconds and was one of the strongest felt in the country in recent years
A sudden, terrifying tremor ripped through Bangladesh yesterday (21 November), leaving people shaken and deeply traumatised.
The 5.7-magnitude earthquake, which struck at 10:38am, shattered the usual weekend calm, replacing it with panic and fear. Buildings swayed, windows rattled, and for several tense seconds, people feared the worst.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) reported that the epicentre was in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, about 13 km from Dhaka. The tremor lasted roughly 26 seconds and was one of the strongest felt in the country in recent years. Residents across the capital and surrounding districts rushed outside for safety.
Personal accounts of fear
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In Mirpur, Zarin Tasnim recalled, "I thought our building was going to collapse."
Neighbours poured onto the streets, some still in their nightclothes, desperate to escape.
A private service holder in Mohammadpur said living in a high-rise has now become a major source of anxiety for him.
"I live with my elderly parents and children. I cannot go upstairs or downstairs quickly. Out of fear, I am even thinking of shifting to a lower-level flat," he said.
In Gazipur, school teacher Farzana Rahman described the moment as a nightmare.
"It felt like everything would collapse any second. Our home was swaying, and my child was terrified. Now flats do not feel safe anymore. A tin or mud house seems better," she said.
Retired BRTC employee Latif Sarkar said he had never felt anything like this before.
"I thought we would not survive. I have seen many earthquakes in my long life, but never one like this. I did not even think we would live through it," he said.
Aftershocks and lingering anxiety
Another service holder in Dhaka said her family has been traumatised by the aftershocks.
"They are constantly watching updates and worrying about what will happen next. Relatives outside Dhaka are concerned for us and ask if we are safe. Some are so frightened that they are keeping whistles ready for emergencies," she said.
Students living away from home were also affected.
Anika Rahman Arpa, a resident of the nine-storey Taramon Bibi Hall at Jahangirnagar University, said she woke up to everything shaking violently.
"I looked at the ceiling fan and it was swinging intensely. My separation anxiety and past earthquake trauma resurfaced instantly," she said.
She recalled a similar quake she experienced as a child. "When the shaking did not stop, I thought I would die without seeing my parents again. I have not slept properly since. I fear the building will collapse before I wake up."
A private service holder who recently got transferred from Dhaka to another district said he was relieved after the earthquake.
"I am very happy that I no longer live in Dhaka. Yesterday's experience showed me how stressful it can be staying in the city during such tremors," he said.
Challenges of high-rise living
For residents in university halls, evacuation is particularly difficult.
Shraboni Jaman Jyoti, who lives in the nine-storey Fazilatunnesa Hall at JU, said, "It feels like we are living in a death trap. During earthquakes, we girls on the upper floors panic. In the last six months, several smaller tremors have made us even more fearful."
She added that exiting safely is extremely challenging, as elevators cannot be used and emergency staircases are far from her block.
"Yesterday, I saw our hall sway like a hanging ball. Flower pots fell, boxes toppled, and there were cracks in the washroom tiles. My roommate even cried during the quake. We are still terrified, constantly thinking about how we would escape if it happens again," she said.
Experts on coping with trauma
Experts stress that while structural improvements are important, addressing psychological trauma is equally crucial.
Professor Dr Md Shahanur Hossain, chairman of the Clinical Psychology Department at Dhaka University, told The Business Standard that people often over-focus on traumatic events.
"The more frequently an event is discussed or revisited, the more permanent its memory can become. Individuals need to consciously allow themselves to process the experience normally," he said.
Dr Hossain added that over-worrying about infrastructure risks can worsen anxiety.
Practical measures can help, such as encouraging children to play outside to ease their fears.
He also warned about the impact of social media, which spreads videos and content that can trigger secondary trauma.
He suggested regulations to ensure that content that increases fear or uncertainty is minimised.
A gap shaping our attitudes
Psychiatrist Professor Dr Helal Uddin Ahmed told The Business Standard that it is natural for anyone to experience psychological shock after a disaster such as an earthquake, noting that this should not be seen as a sign of weakness.
Any sudden adversity — whether natural or human-made — creates fear, which often leads to panic, he said.
Helal Uddin noted that people in Bangladesh do not have the same level of exposure to earthquakes as they do with other natural disasters.
"We have learned to adapt our lives around floods and cyclones, but we have not been able to do the same with earthquakes. This unfamiliarity fuels additional anxiety within us," he said.
He said that counselling or medical support can assist those who suffer panic attacks, but raising public awareness is equally important so that people can remain calm during such incidents.
According to him, during yesterday's earthquake, twice as many people were injured due to panic—mainly from falling while rushing down stairs—than from the tremor itself.
This, he said, reflects a serious lack of awareness about how to respond to earthquakes.
"There is a knowledge gap, and that gap is shaping our attitudes. Instead of responding to disasters scientifically, people are reacting psychologically. We must become more aware and learn how to protect ourselves during unexpected disasters," he said.
Dr Ahmed added that those who experienced panic attacks should try to maintain a normal routine, continue daily activities, and keep recreational habits intact. If symptoms worsen, they should seek help from a mental health professional.
According to a BBC report, survivors of earthquakes often experience phases of shock, fear, and denial.
Experts recommend talking about experiences, expressing emotions, and receiving social support to cope.
This can prevent long-term effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.
A new normal
While physical damages from yesterday's tremor were limited, the psychological scars remain.
For many, the ground does not feel as stable as before, and the fear of a stronger quake continues to haunt thousands across Dhaka.
Experts say recovery involves not only rebuilding structures but also fostering a sense of safety and emotional support to establish a new normal.
