Most devastating earthquakes in Bangladesh's history
Today's incident has renewed public anxiety about the country’s vulnerability to earthquakes.
Bangladesh was shaken by an earthquake today (21 November). The quake caused the deaths of three people after a building railing collapsed in Old Dhaka, while a child died when a wall collapsed in Narayanganj.
The incident has renewed public anxiety about the country's vulnerability to earthquakes.
Earlier, the powerful earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on 6 February 2023 spread fear across the world. More than 40,000 people died due to the 7.8 magnitude quake and its aftershocks, with millions affected. Images of that devastation once again raised concerns among countries prone to seismic activity.
In recent years, several low- and medium-intensity earthquakes have been recorded in Bangladesh, although none caused visible damage.
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As Bangladesh lies in an earthquake-prone zone, experts have repeatedly warned of the need for stronger preparedness.
While the recent past does not hold memories of a catastrophic earthquake within the country, its centuries-old history documents several destructive events.
Records from various official documents describe these major earthquakes, presented here for the readers of The Business Standard.
The first major earthquake recorded in the territory of present-day Bangladesh occurred in 1548. Cracks split the ground in parts of what are now Chattogram and Sylhet.
Historical descriptions note the emergence of foul-smelling mud-water from the fissures. However, no account of casualties was documented.
A powerful earthquake in 1642 damaged many buildings and structures in Sylhet district. As with the earlier event, no human casualties were reported.
One of the most severe earthquakes in the region's history occurred in April 1762.
According to the "Eastern Bengal District Gazetteer Chittagong" of 1908, large quantities of mud-water were expelled from cracks in the ground across Chattogram.
Records also describe a large river drying up in an area referred to as Pardaban. Approximately 200 people from a place named Bakar Chanak, along with their domestic animals, were reportedly submerged under the sea.
The earthquake created deep pits in several areas, and some villages sank several feet into the ground, later becoming flooded.
It is said that two volcanoes appeared in the Sitakunda hills as a result of the quake. The specific locations mentioned in the records could not be identified later, though researchers speculate that present-day Baharchhara may have been known as Bakar Chanak in the eighteenth century.
The "Eastern Bengal District Gazetteer Dacca" of 1912 includes information indicating that Dhaka also experienced severe shaking during the 1762 earthquake.
According to James Taylor's A Sketch of the Topography and Statistics of Dacca, violent agitation was observed in the rivers and jheels of Dhaka.
Water rose higher than usual and, after receding, left countless dead fish scattered along the banks.
Underground sounds were heard throughout the area, numerous houses collapsed, and around 500 people died.
The same volume of the Gazetteer documents powerful earthquakes in 1775 and 1812.
The 1812 earthquake damaged several houses and buildings.
According to Banglapedia, the 1775 earthquake was felt around Dhaka, while the 1812 tremor struck Sylhet. No casualties were recorded for either event.
A description of another significant earthquake in the winter of 1865 appears in the "Eastern Bengal District Gazetteer Chittagong" of 1912. Sand and mud were expelled from a fissure in a hill in Sitakunda. No other serious damage was noted.
The earthquake of nearly magnitude 7 that struck Manikganj in 1885 is known as the Bengal Earthquake.
Its likely epicentre was Kodalia in Saturia, about 170 kilometres from Dhaka. The tremor was felt as far away as Bihar, Sikkim, Manipur, and Myanmar.
Buildings and structures were damaged in Dhaka, Mymensingh, Sherpur, Pabna, and Sirajganj, though the exact casualty figures remain unknown.
One of the most destructive earthquakes in the region was the 12 June 1897 event, known as the Great Indian Earthquake. Its magnitude is estimated to have been around 8.
The "Bengal District Gazetteer Pabna" of 1923 notes that the upper floor of the Sub-Divisional Office, the jail, the post office, and many other structures in Sirajganj were destroyed.
Almost all buildings suffered heavy damage. The jute bag factory of Andrew Yule and Company was completely ruined, forcing the business to shut down. Cracks opened across the ground, and silt and sand filled many wells.
According to the "Eastern Bengal District Gazetteer Chittagong", the 1897 earthquake was felt across the whole of Bengal, from the South Lushai Hills in the east to Shahabad in the west.
The probable epicentre was near Cherrapunji in Assam. The duration ranged from six seconds to five minutes, depending on location, with Chattogram experiencing the longest tremors.
The "Eastern Bengal District Gazetteer Dacca" notes significant damage to major structures in Dhaka. Casualties were relatively low, but repairs to damaged government buildings cost an estimated 1.5 lakh rupees at the time.
According to Banglapedia, the death toll in Sylhet district alone reached 545. Rail and road communication between Dhaka and Mymensingh was disrupted, and several eastern districts, including Rajshahi, suffered substantial damage.
The financial loss was estimated at around Tk50 lakh in contemporary value.
An earthquake of approximately 7.6 magnitude struck Sreemangal in 1918, known as the Sreemangal Earthquake.
The tremor was felt in Myanmar and in the northeastern Indian states. Many buildings in Sreemangal collapsed.
The Assam Earthquake of 15 August 1950, one of the century's most powerful at magnitude 8.7, was felt in many parts of Bangladesh, though it caused no major damage within the country.
A magnitude 6 earthquake struck Chattogram on 21 November 1997, causing cracks in various structures.
The last significant earthquake of the twentieth century in Bangladesh occurred in Moheshkhali upazila in July 1999. Its epicentre was on the island, and the 5.2 magnitude tremor damaged many houses.
