Highlights
- Bangladesh lies on three active tectonic plate boundaries
- Experts warn a 9.0 magnitude earthquake could hit without any warning
- Nearly half of Dhaka’s buildings may collapse in a major quake
- Disaster preparedness is less than 20%, according to specialists
- Fire service authorities claim they are trying to improve readiness
Bangladesh Sits on Dangerous Fault Lines
Experts warn that Bangladesh is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the region.
This is because the country lies on three active tectonic plate boundaries, which increases the chance of experiencing a very strong earthquake at any time.
Seismologist Professor Syed Humayun Akhter has repeatedly stated that Bangladesh could face a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, and it could happen without any warning.
Read More: Massive Earthquake Tragedy: Mother in Operation Theatre, Unaware Her Son Has Died
Half of Dhaka’s Buildings at Risk
Professor Dr. Mehedi Ahmed Ansary from BUET has expressed serious concern about the structural safety of buildings in Dhaka.
According to him, if a very powerful earthquake strikes:
- Nearly half of Dhaka city’s buildings could collapse
- Many other structures may suffer severe damage
- Casualties could be extremely high due to dense population and weak construction practices
This warning highlights the vulnerability of the capital and the urgent need for building-code enforcement.
Disaster Preparedness Still Very Weak
Despite years of warnings from scientists and engineers, Bangladesh’s overall earthquake preparedness remains far below the required level.
Experts estimate that the country has:
- Less than 20% capacity to respond to a large-scale earthquake
- Insufficient trained personnel
- Limited rescue equipment
- Poor coordination among emergency agencies
This low level of readiness could make the situation far worse if a major quake occurs.
Fire Service Says They Are Improving
Authorities from the Fire Service and Civil Defence say they are working to improve emergency response capacity.
They mention:
- Training more rescue teams
- Upgrading equipment
- Conducting earthquake drills
However, experts believe the current improvements are not enough to deal with a high-magnitude earthquake.
A Strong Warning for the Nation
Specialists emphasize that Bangladesh must act quickly.
A high-magnitude earthquake could cause:
- Massive destruction
- Thousands of deaths
- Collapsed buildings in large numbers
- Long-term economic crisis
Without immediate steps to strengthen buildings and improve emergency readiness, the consequences could be catastrophic.
Source: DBC News
