Intense earthquake exposes vulnerabilities in Bangladesh’s university dormitories

The earthquake that struck Bangladesh at 10:38 a.m. on 21 November has once again exposed the alarming weaknesses in the country's built environment. In Dhaka, several people lost their lives, many buildings tilted dangerously, and some partially collapsed. Similar scenes of panic, structural failure, and chaos unfolded across other major cities.

As expected, the national conversation quickly turned to unplanned urbanisation, poor monitoring of construction, and the vulnerability of high-rise structures. These issues are real and pressing, yet the public discourse remains incomplete because one crucial area continues to be consistently overlooked: the condition of university residential halls.

While citizens, policymakers, and experts debate the dangers posed by faulty urban buildings, thousands of students sleep each night in structures that are just as unsafe—if not more so. The dormitories of public universities represent a silent crisis in Bangladesh's earthquake preparedness.

A striking example is the University of Chittagong, where Shahjalal Hall and Alaul Hall have been standing since the 1970s. These buildings were constructed at a time when seismic awareness, engineering technology, and safety regulations were far less advanced. 

Over the decades, they have deteriorated through ageing materials, inconsistent maintenance, and continuous overcrowding. Despite these obvious risks, the halls remain packed with students because no safer alternatives exist.

This situation did not arise suddenly; it is the product of prolonged administrative and governmental indifference. University infrastructures have long been treated as permanent and unchangeable, rather than dynamic structures requiring inspection, reinforcement, or reconstruction. Small cracks, electrical hazards, and weakening foundations are often dismissed as routine issues instead of early warnings.

Bureaucratic inefficiency delays even the most basic repairs. Budgets for renovation move slowly, political influence affects construction decisions, and safety is rarely prioritised unless a tragedy has already occurred. Such complacency is dangerous, especially when these structures house thousands of young people in tightly packed spaces.

Students are, in fact, among the most vulnerable groups in the country when it comes to earthquake risks. Dormitory rooms designed for two people now house four or more. Staircases are narrow, exit routes are unplanned, and evacuation training is almost non-existent. During the night, when students are asleep, the risk becomes even greater, as collapsing buildings at these hours tend to produce higher casualties.

Students themselves have limited power to demand renovations or structural assessments. They are compelled to live in unsafe halls simply because no alternative accommodation exists, and the authorities have shown little urgency in addressing these dangers.

The incident of 21 November must serve as a wake-up call. Bangladesh lies in a seismically active zone, and experts have repeatedly warned that a major earthquake could strike at any time. If structures in Dhaka can fail during a moderate quake, the condition of decades-old university residential halls should alarm everyone.

Ignoring them because they are not located in busy commercial zones is a grave mistake. A collapse in a university hall would cause mass casualties within minutes, overwhelming emergency services and leaving the nation shaken by a tragedy that could have been prevented.

Preventing such a disaster requires decisive and immediate action. Bangladesh urgently needs a nationwide, independent structural audit of all public university dormitories. These assessments must be carried out by qualified engineers and made publicly available for accountability.

Buildings found to be unsafe must undergo retrofitting using modern reinforcement techniques, including steel bracing, column strengthening, and the introduction of seismic-resistant features. Some older structures may be beyond repair; in those cases, new earthquake-resistant halls must be built to replace them. Short-term fixes are not enough.

At the same time, universities must implement proper evacuation systems. Clearly marked exit routes, regular earthquake drills, trained hall staff, and designated assembly points can significantly reduce casualties even if structural damage occurs. Safety education should be mandatory for students living in residential halls, ensuring they know how to act during emergencies.

Most importantly, university campuses must be fully integrated into the national framework for disaster preparedness. Earthquake resilience cannot be viewed as an urban-only issue. Campuses are densely populated communities, and their buildings must comply with the National Building Code and relevant safety guidelines.

The Ministry of Education, the University Grants Commission, and university administrations must work together to introduce an accountability system with annual inspections, penalties for negligence, and strict oversight of construction and repair work.

The 21 November earthquake is not just a moment of fear—it is a warning that Bangladesh cannot continue ignoring the vulnerabilities embedded in its educational institutions. Students, who represent the country's future, should not be living in structures that could turn into death traps during a major seismic event. 

A nation committed to resilience, safety, and progress must prioritise the protection of its young population. Ensuring the earthquake safety of university dormitories is not a luxury—it is an urgent necessity. Bangladesh can no longer afford to look away. The time to act is now.

H M Sabbir Hossain is a student of International Relations at the University of Chittagong.

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.