Beyond the fault lines: A roadmap to earthquake resilience for Bangladesh

Earthquakes do not kill people, but poorly constructed buildings do. If we observe the 2023 Turkey earthquake (magnitude 7.8), we will see that nearly 53,500 people were killed, mostly due to building collapses.

Similarly, if we go back to the 2010 Haiti (magnitude 7.0) and Chile (magnitude 8.8) earthquakes, we find that approximately 230,000 people died in Haiti due to poorly constructed buildings, whereas only 280 people died in Chile — despite the Chilean earthquake releasing 800 times more energy than the Haitian one. 

Bangladesh may experience a 7.5 magnitude earthquake at any time in the near future. There are some critical issues we need to address immediately to reduce the impact of a potential earthquake in Bangladesh.

Assessment and classification of existing buildings: Bangladesh must evaluate the structural integrity of existing buildings in our cities and classify them as weak (RED), moderately weak (YELLOW), and relatively strong (GREEN) in terms of their ability to withstand earthquakes. 

This classification will help central and city-level authorities prioritise buildings that require urgent retrofitting.

It will also enable banks to provide loans for retrofitting based on proper documentation. A similar process has been followed to retrofit almost 500 garment factory buildings in Bangladesh over the past 10 years under the labour ministry.

Third-party monitoring and supervision: Retrofitting work requires extensive monitoring and supervision by third-party engineering firms at various stages. 

Currently, Bangladesh has about 100 engineering consultancy firms capable of such work. This number must be increased significantly through proper mentoring and training.

Training of fresh engineering graduates: It is essential to train recent engineering graduates in earthquake-resistant design principles for both buildings and soil foundations. 

A three-month short course can be offered under a licensing agency, headed by a professional engineer with sufficient experience. The course should be conducted by a pool of competent engineers or professors with expertise in this area.

Ensuring implementation of structural designs: Most new building designs in Bangladesh are based on the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC). However, the main issue lies in the actual implementation of these designs and in quality control of construction materials (cement, steel, etc.). 

A qualified and trained third-party engineering firm should be employed to oversee this. Based on their report and recommendations, authorities such as CDA, KDA, RDA, RAJUK, and other city corporations should issue an Occupancy Certificate to the building owner. Our Building Construction Rules have provisions for such certification.

Resolving overlapping jurisdictions: We must resolve the overlapping roles of CDA/KDA/RAJUK, city corporations, and the fire service. 

In cities like California and New York (USA), Tokyo (Japan), Kolkata and Mumbai (India), Manila (Philippines), and Istanbul (Turkey), all these agencies operate under the direct supervision of the mayor. 

During all phases of disaster management — before, during and after — a single authority coordinates these agencies. In Bangladesh, the presence of multiple overlapping agencies has complicated this process. This issue needs urgent resolution.

Risk-sensitive land use planning: Risk-sensitive land use planning maps — based on site amplification, liquefaction potential, etc. — must be developed for both large and small cities. 

These maps will help engineers determine whether ground or soil improvement is necessary for a specific construction project.

Earthquake-resistant lifeline systems: Lifeline systems — including electricity, gas, mobile and telecommunications, transportation, and water supply — must be made earthquake-resistant using risk-sensitive maps and building codes. 

Emergency shutdown protocols should also be established to reduce the risk of secondary disasters such as fires.

Urban volunteer auxiliary force: An urban volunteer auxiliary force should be formed and maintained by the Department of Fire Service. 

A new law is needed to authorise the use of this force during urban disasters, similar to how the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) operates in coastal areas. These volunteers, selected from local communities, should be trained in search and rescue operations, and basic tools should be stored at local fire service offices for their use.

City-level emergency operation centres (EoCs): Each city corporation should establish an Emergency Operation Center staffed by competent officers. Clear protocols must be developed to ensure the effective functioning of these centers.

If we can implement the above measures, I believe the damage from a future earthquake can be significantly minimised. Many of these recommendations have been submitted to the Government of Bangladesh over the past few years, but little visible action has been taken. 

The recent 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar should serve as a final warning — a wake-up call for us all.

Professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansary is the Founder Director BUET-Japan Institute of Disaster Prevention and Urban Safety (BUET-JIDPUS) and Founder Secretary General Bangladesh Earthquake Society (BES).

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.