Rizwana warns of high earthquake risk in Dhaka, urges urgent preparedness

Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today said that new buildings are being constructed according to the building code, but many older structures were built without following it.

The adviser made the remark while talking to journalists at a programme in Dhaka's Mirpur, shortly after stepping outside a building during the tremor.

"Rajuk says 90 percent of the buildings do not follow the building code. What will happen to them if earthquakes like this continue to occur? This is definitely worrying," she said.

The adviser added, "I think the biggest risk is in Dhaka and Old Dhaka. In the last five years, there have been several earthquakes, but I never felt any as strong as today's. We are being warned repeatedly."

Rizwana said this was not a comforting message, stressing that planning and preparation for future disasters should have begun long ago.

The adviser also noted the lack of open spaces in many parts of Bangladesh for people to take shelter, emphasising the need to preserve such areas.

She said Dhaka's dense building clusters must be addressed with technical solutions, while water bodies must be protected.

Disaster preparedness needs to be strengthened, and a three-year programme should be taken up to address the existing gaps, Rizwana also said.