We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and widespread devastation caused by a major earthquake that struck Myanmar and parts of Thailand on March 28. Reportedly, a 7.7-magnitude quake occurred northwest of Sagaing, a city in central Myanmar, followed just minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock. The quakes caused extensive destruction, including collapsed buildings, damaged bridges, and buckled roads across large areas of Myanmar. Mandalay, the nation's second-largest city with a population of over 1.7 million, was particularly hard-hit. The death toll in Myanmar has already exceeded 1,000, with nearly 2,400 individuals injured. The full extent of the catastrophe is yet to emerge as the rescue efforts are still ongoing.

This earthquake, one of the most powerful to strike Myanmar in decades, serves as a stark reminder of Dhaka's earthquake vulnerability. Reportedly, Bangladesh is located in one of the world's most tectonically active regions, where the Indian, Eurasian, and Burmese Plates converge. The Myanmar earthquake occurred along the Sagaing Fault, which is part of the Indo-Burma subduction zone, and Bangladesh also sits in it. Therefore, experts have warned that, without urgent preparatory measures, Dhaka could face catastrophic consequences in the event of a major earthquake.

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We need to be ready for earthquakes

Research also revealed that the Indo-Burma subduction zone, covering Sylhet and Chattogram, is building up stress that could trigger a powerful earthquake of up to magnitude 8. Similarly, the Dauki Fault remains a highly active seismic area. Over the past decade, the region has witnessed 550 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or above. Experts warn that these frequent smaller tremors could be a precursor to potentially larger quakes.

Dhaka also faces a high risk of catastrophic earthquake damage due to dense urbanisation, poor building regulations, and its geological location. A RAJUK study indicates that a 6.9-magnitude earthquake along the Madhupur Fault Line could destroy 865,000 buildings, resulting in up to 210,000 deaths, 229,000 injuries, and financial losses exceeding $25 billion, with $44 billion required for rebuilding.

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Don’t normalise risky living

We, therefore, urge the government agencies concerned to expedite our earthquake preparedness before it is too late. A comprehensive plan should be developed to demolish unsafe buildings across the city and conduct regular inspections to ensure structural safety. Using earthquake-resistant technologies in new constructions and strictly implementing the building codes has become crucial at this stage. Additionally, we need to design and implement extensive awareness and training programmes, including regular drills in schools, offices, etc., as part of preparedness. Let's not neglect the threat of a major earthquake.