This past week Bangladesh has received two powerful earthquakes, while in the last 90 days more than 50 minor earthquakes have struck the country. Experts don’t have to explain to residents that these small quakes may be indications of a bigger quake coming soon. More than 150 small to medium-sized earthquakes have occurred over the past 15 years, triggering fears of a major quake to come.
Dhaka is among the 20 most quake-prone cities globally, and experts warn a major quake could cause massive damage. However, effective steps have not yet been taken by the government to address the risks.
The recent tremors could be signs of stronger quakes to come, experts say. It doesn’t help that Bangladesh’s geography makes it particularly at risk. These included cities such as Sylhet, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chittagong and Dhaka at a particular high risk. On Jan. 7, a 7.1 magnitude quake in Tibet killed more than 100 people, with tremors felt in Bangladesh, Nepal and India.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Bangladesh lies in an active earthquake zone. Shifting tectonic plates near Bangladesh have not had a major earthquake in many years, so they could be accumulating pressure for a big one, experts say. Then there would be a lot of destruction, especially in Dhaka, with 8 to 9 magnitudes of the earthquake.
A 7-magnitude earthquake near the border would cause extensive damage in Mymensingh, Rangpur, Sylhet, Chittagong and Dhaka, said Dr. Zillur Rahman, a professor at Dhaka University. Prof Mehedi Ahmed Ansari of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) said that if the buildings are not repaired, and the city’s gas and electrical systems are not repaired, there is a higher chance of the damage being much worse during an earthquake. It’s just a matter of time before the earthquakes hit, experts say. It would turn into a great disaster for the country, loss of lives and destruction everywhere without proper measures.
Source: Rtv News
