In just seven days, the country has been rattled by two earthquakes. Over the past three months, more than 50 tremors of varying magnitudes have shaken Bangladesh. In the last 15 years, over 150 earthquakes, both small and large, have been recorded. Experts believe these frequent quakes are warning signs of a much larger earthquake waiting to happen.
Dhaka, unfortunately, is one of the 20 cities in the world most at risk from earthquakes. A major quake here could cause catastrophic destruction, but despite this looming threat, no government has taken substantial steps to prepare or minimize the damage.
Experts point out that these recurring tremors could be an indication that a larger, more devastating earthquake is on the horizon. Due to the country’s location on active tectonic plates, Bangladesh is at a heightened risk. Should a major earthquake strike, cities like Sylhet, Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Chattogram may suffer far worse damage than Dhaka itself.
On January 7, a 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit Tibet, claiming over 100 lives. This tremor was felt not only in Tibet but also across Bangladesh, Nepal, and India. The region’s position along key fault lines means that earthquakes are common here.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has confirmed that Bangladesh lies in an active seismic zone. The increasing frequency of small quakes signals that a larger, more powerful earthquake could be on the way. Global disaster indices list Dhaka among the 20 cities most vulnerable to earthquakes. The last major earthquake in Bangladesh occurred in 1918, causing significant damage. A smaller quake, registering 6.7 on the Richter scale, struck on January 4, 2016, and caused six deaths due to panic. There hasn’t been a major quake in Bangladesh for the past 75 years, which makes the likelihood of a big one even more concerning.
Experts believe the country’s location along the tectonic plates of India and Myanmar makes it particularly vulnerable. No significant earthquakes have occurred along these plates in centuries, which has caused an accumulation of immense energy that could suddenly release in the form of an 8 to 9-magnitude quake. If that happens, the destruction would be devastating. A joint study by BUET and the government suggests that a 7.5-magnitude earthquake could collapse 72,000 buildings in Dhaka alone, leaving seven million tons of rubble in its wake.
Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Dhaka University and a professor of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience, explained, “If a 7-magnitude earthquake occurs near the border areas, Bangladesh will face severe devastation. Cities like Mymensingh, Rangpur, Sylhet, Chattogram, and Dhaka will be particularly affected. Dhaka’s buildings, many of which are vulnerable, will be at high risk.”
Professor Mehdi Ahmed Ansari, from the Civil Engineering Department at BUET, added, “Our country lies along three tectonic plates. These plates meet near our borders. We are located on the Indo-Australian plate, with the Himalayas to the north on the Eurasian plate, and Myanmar’s micro-plate to the east. All of these plates are active, and their movement causes shifts of about 5 centimeters every year. This means the entire earth, including Bangladesh, is in constant motion.”
He further pointed out, “While the Fire Service and Civil Defence have some equipment, that’s not enough. Without repairing and strengthening buildings, people will continue to suffer during an earthquake. Additionally, the unplanned gas and electrical lines running through Dhaka could exacerbate the damage and increase the risks during a quake.”
