A looming disaster in Chattogram

The latest revelations about Chattogram's earthquake vulnerability should alarm city authorities and policymakers alike. While the city's location makes it vulnerable to severe earthquakes, unplanned urbanisation, widespread building code violations, and years of weak monitoring and regulatory negligence have added to the risks. Experts warn that at least 70 percent of the city's multi-storey buildings could collapse if a major quake of magnitude 7 or higher strikes. Last Friday's 5.7-magnitude tremor, during which a previously tilted six-storey building in Mansurabad leaned further towards a neighbouring structure, clearly showed how precarious the situation has become.

Rapid and unplanned growth has turned Chattogram city into a concrete jungle where safety is often ignored. According to the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), the city has around 4.11 lakh buildings of varying heights, and many taller structures were built in violation of building codes. In coastal areas like Chattogram, building materials deteriorate faster, while narrow roads would make rescue operations extremely difficult during an earthquake. Oversight is also weak, and many buildings are constructed without proper expert supervision. Additionally, unchecked groundwater extraction has weakened the soil beneath the high-rises. If these issues persist, a strong earthquake could cause large-scale damage and casualties.

However, the lack of preparedness among city authorities is deeply worrying. Reportedly, many buildings, which were damaged and tilted during previous earthquakes, still stand today. CDA says that it can only identify unsafe buildings and that demolition work falls under the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC). If so, why has the CCC not demolished these risky buildings yet? This reflects poor coordination among city authorities. CDA's lack of a structural and design cell and severe manpower shortages worsen the problem.

To reduce earthquake risks in Chattogram, authorities must take immediate and coordinated action. CDA needs to increase its manpower to properly monitor construction practices and stop irregularities. Vulnerable buildings should be identified and strengthened using modern retrofitting methods, while very old and unsafe structures should be demolished without delay. Residents must follow building codes strictly when constructing new buildings. Additionally, groundwater extraction should be reduced to protect the soil's stability. Government agencies must also enforce building-code compliance and ensure that new structures include proper emergency entry and exit routes. While building fully earthquake-proof structures may be costly, making them earthquake-tolerant can significantly reduce casualties in future disasters.