Dhaka, November 23 – Central Bangladesh, including the capital Dhaka, which is the world's most densely populated megacity (with a popul...
Dhaka, November 23 – Central Bangladesh, including the capital Dhaka, which is the world's most densely populated megacity (with a population exceeding 10 million), has experienced a series of earthquakes within just two days, sparking significant worries about the city's readiness for a major seismic event.
Authorities have cautioned that the densely populated capital of Bangladesh may turn into a high-risk area for earthquakes, as almost 90% of its older structures were built without following appropriate construction standards.
Anxiety increased after a strong 5.7-magnitude earthquake occurred at 10:38am on Friday, breaking the usual weekend tranquility and transforming the holiday into a terrifying moment for the capital's inhabitants.
As per the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the location of the 26-second earthquake was in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, with a depth measured at only 10 kilometers beneath the surface.
A tremor that was experienced in various areas of Bangladesh resulted in at least 10 fatalities — four in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi, and one in Narayanganj. More than 600 individuals were also injured.
Earthquakes in Bangladesh rarely cause multiple deaths. The most recent occurrence was in 1999, when a strong earthquake hit the island of Moheskhali, resulting in 6 fatalities. Hundreds of people were also injured on the island located off the coast of Chattogram in the southeastern part of the country.
However, Friday's earthquake was immediately recognized as something distinct, with more profound consequences. In addition to the casualties being distributed across three areas, the epicenter's proximity to Dhaka resulted in an estimated 10 million people in the city experiencing 'strong shaking,' as reported by the United States Geological Survey, the world's foremost expert on earthquake information.
Dhaka is unable to endure a significant earthquake; 95% of its structures were not properly planned, according to specialists.
Near the epicenter in Narsingdi, approximately 300,000 individuals were expected to experience 'high-intensity' tremors. Everyone we spoke to in the capital stated that they had never encountered such ground shaking during a quake as they did on Friday.
It was followed precisely 24 hours later by a significantly smaller tremor, once more centered in Palash upazila of Narsingdi. According to the BMD, this earthquake, which registered 3.3 on the Richter scale, took place at 10:36am on Saturday, approximately 29 km west of the BMD Seismic Centre located in Agargaon.
Then, on Saturday night, a third tremor within 32 hours, regarded as a second aftershock of Friday's earthquake, was experienced in sections of Narsingdi and surrounding areas such as Dhaka. As per USGS, this most recent quake registered 4.3 on the Richter scale and occurred at 6:06pm local time, with its epicenter situated 11 kilometers west of Narsingdi at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Despite there being no injuries reported from either of the two secondary tremors, they increased tension, indicating that the fault lines located deep within the Earth's crust had become geologically active.
Numerous structures in different parts of Dhaka suffered damage following the earthquake on Friday. As per the Dhaka district administration, at least 14 buildings in the capital were affected by the tremor, whereas Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) reported more than 50 structures, many of which had leaned.
For those who have survived, the mental effects remain. For numerous individuals, the earth no longer seems secure, and the anxiety of a more powerful tremor continues to trouble millions in Dhaka.
"I am a student at Mujib Hall for the 2024-2025 academic year. I have been deeply affected by the earthquake. I reside in the July Smriti Bhaban within Mujib Hall. Now, every time a vehicle passes by my building or I hear even the smallest noise, I experience panic," said a student from Dhaka University.
"It seems like another earthquake is taking place. He keeps checking his room and the area around him to see if there's any shaking," he added.
At least four students suffered severe injuries following their desperate leap from the dormitory buildings of Dhaka University amid the panic triggered by Friday's earthquake. The university initially canceled all classes planned for Sunday, and later, following a meeting on Saturday, decided to halt all academic activities until December 6, citing the physical and psychological strain resulting from the earthquake and its subsequent tremors, along with the requirement to repair the residential halls.
Risky Buildings in Dhaka
As per RAJUK, the initial list of hazardous structures was created in 2010 and revised in 2016. At present, Dhaka is home to 321 highly dangerous buildings, primarily located in Old Dhaka. In 2024, RAJUK also discovered 30 unsafe buildings across 21 educational facilities.
A study carried out by RAJUK as part of the Urban Resilience Project between 2018 and 2022 revealed that around 865,000 structures in Dhaka might collapse if a 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit the Madhupur Fault close to Tangail. This situation could lead to 210,000 fatalities and 229,000 injuries if it happened during the day.
Bangladesh's urban areas, such as Dhaka and Chattogram, continue to be at significant risk from earthquakes because of the general failure to follow construction regulations, comprehensive planning strategies, and land-use management guidelines, as stated by the Institute for Planning and Development (IPD).
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Professor Adil Muhammad Khan from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Jahangirnagar University highlighted the critical importance of being ready, referencing the recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar as a clear example of the dangers involved.
Experts have also raised worries that, although several reform commissions have been set up, the temporary government has still not created a specific body responsible for urban development, eco-friendly housing, and construction safety.
The Bangladesh Institute of Planners expressed disapproval of the establishment of an advisory committee, which is reportedly influenced by property developers, aiming to modify Dhaka's Detailed Area Plan (DAP) to promote unregulated high-rise development.
A fresh approach in building
A 9.1-magnitude earthquake hit Japan in 2011, yet in structures featuring a technology called 'base isolation,' no glass was dislodged from the shelves.
This is a building method where the structure (or similar facility) is not firmly connected to the earth. Rather, hundreds of unique rubber-lead supports are placed underneath. During an earthquake, the ground might tremble intensely, yet the building above moves smoothly—rocking slowly instead of jolting forcefully. Consequently, individuals, furnishings, machinery, and internal components stay nearly entirely undisturbed.
In modern Japan, almost every new tower, building, hospital, school, and data center is mandated to include this system. Additionally, structures that are 40 to 50 years old are being upgraded by modifying their foundations and incorporating base isolation, granting them a renewed, more secure existence.
Certain engineers suggest that Bangladesh ought to take this path to protect itself from a severe crisis down the line.
According to the Bangladesh National Building Code-2020 (BNBC-2020), critical buildings in Dhaka and Chattogram have already begun incorporating base-isolation systems. The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, various metro rail stations, and some new high-rises are currently applying this technology.
A study entitled "Status of Base Isolation Applications in Bangladesh" was delivered at the 19th World Conference on Seismic Isolation, Energy Dissipation, and Active Vibration Control of Structures held in Berkeley, USA this September.
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Tahmeed Al-Hussaini of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and Khondaker Sakil Ahmed from the Military Institute of Science and Technology highlighted the importance of this technology.
They noted that Bangladesh, situated close to the boundaries of the Indian and Eurasian plates to its north and east, faces considerable earthquake risk. Seismic Zone V, which is designated as the most hazardous zone in India, surrounds Bangladesh on its northern and eastern sides.
Their study also highlighted that base-isolation techniques have been implemented in two significant bridges in Bangladesh. The 4.8-km Jamuna Bridge features seismic steel pins for earthquake resistance, whereas the 6.1-km Padma Bridge is equipped with double concave friction pendulum bearings.
Studies indicate that both base isolation systems performed adequately. Specifically, for the Padma Bridge, the seismic load on the bridge was significant because of the very deep pile foundations, a heavy double-deck superstructure, and deep erosion in the Padma River.
Studies indicate that base isolation can be effectively used for mid-rise and high-rise structures in Bangladesh.
And the initial use of base isolation in a building within Bangladesh is set to be implemented at the new headquarters of the Fire Service and Civil Defense in Dhaka.
Due to the potential for earthquakes, Bangladesh has been categorized into three seismic zones. In this classification, areas with the highest risk are designated as Zone-1, those with moderate risk as Zone-2, and regions with the lowest risk as Zone-3. A map released by the Meteorological Department highlights the earthquake-vulnerable areas within the country.
Specifically, nine districts from the Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions; portions of Tangail, Gazipur, and Narsingdi within the Dhaka division; the whole Kishoreganj district; Brahmanbaria in the Cumilla division; and significant regions of the hill districts Khagrachhari and Rangamati are designated as areas with high risk.
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Data indicates that from 1976 to 2015, Bangladesh faced a minimum of five significant earthquakes. Most of these occurred in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Cox's Bazar. In the past, it was anticipated that these regions could also encounter more powerful tremors in the years ahead.
However, the swift and unregulated growth of Dhaka city, which is centrally located, since independence, along with its closeness to the epicenter of the weekend's earthquakes, is causing increased worries about the future of the capital's inhabitants.
On Saturday, during the inspection of three affected areas in Dhaka, RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam stated that this earthquake served as a warning for everyone. "If we don't take it seriously, a major catastrophe is on the horizon," he cautioned.
He mentioned that officials are compiling a list of structures that sustained damage during the earthquake.
On-site inspections are being conducted on the hazardous structures, and those identified as extremely unsafe are being locked down or shut off.
In certain situations, hazardous facilities are being dismantled. If none of us become conscious and behave properly, we could encounter a major disaster in the coming days.
Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan has cautioned that almost 90% of the older structures in Dhaka were built without adhering to construction regulations, making the capital highly susceptible to risks, particularly in the wake of recent seismic events.
Addressing reporters in Mirpur on Friday, she mentioned that the recent earthquake should act as a significant warning for Bangladesh.
"We have never encountered earthquakes of this magnitude. Continuous alerts are being issued; it's time to get ready," she stated.
