Dhaka sits on highly active seismic zone; timely preparedness could greatly reduce earthquake casualties: Experts warn

Proper preparedness, public awareness, and the use of modern technology can drastically reduce casualties and damage even in the event of a major earthquake in Bangladesh, experts said at a high-level seminar in Dhaka today (29 November). They cautioned that the country remains extremely vulnerable, and inaction could trigger a catastrophic humanitarian disaster.

The seminar, titled "Earthquake Awareness, Safety Protocol and Emergency Preparedness", was held at The Westin Dhaka and organised by JCX Developments Ltd.

In his welcome remarks, JCX Managing Director Md Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury said recent tremors in Dhaka underscore the nation's growing vulnerability. "Rapid urbanisation, high population density, and structurally weak buildings mean the consequences of a major earthquake could be devastating. Awareness, preparedness, and capacity building are now the demands of the time," he said. He added that a coordinated effort by the state, housing sector, and public is essential, stressing, "Time is running out. We must make decisions quick."

The seminar brought together engineers, architects, policy planners, and disaster-risk specialists, including Prof M Shamim Z Bosunia, Prof Syed Fokhrul Amin (Buet), Rehab President Wahiduzzaman, Rajuk Chief Urban Planner Ashraful Islam, Prof Rakib Ahsan (Buet), and BMD Director Mominul Islam.

Experts repeatedly urged strengthening building construction, conducting structural audits, monitoring construction quality, expanding emergency response capacity, and establishing effective early-warning systems.

Prof Syed Fokhrul Amin noted that Bangladesh sits at the junction of the Indian, Eurasian, and Burmese tectonic plates, making it highly susceptible to major quakes. "Key fault lines, including Dawki, Chittagong, Arakan, and Sagaing, place the country at extreme risk. Rapid urbanisation, dense population, unplanned construction, and narrow roads weaken the city's resilience," he said.

Prof Rakib Ahsan highlighted that over 200 earthquakes have been recorded in Bangladesh in the last century, with tremors increasing since 2024. A 2016 Columbia University study warned that the Ganga–Brahmaputra basin's "megathrust" could trigger a magnitude-9 quake. Experts also noted that tectonic stress between Sylhet and Teknaf has built up for 800–1,000 years, calling it "the most alarming red signal."

Rajuk Chief Urban Planner Ashraful Islam stressed immediate action: "Every day of delay increases risk. We must prepare now to save lives later. Regular drills, community awareness programmes, and family-level emergency preparedness are vital. Only proper readiness can reduce massive collapse, damage, and loss of life."

Experts cited Japan as a model, asserting that rule-based construction and rigorous preparedness could reduce earthquake losses in Bangladesh by up to 50%.