Bangladesh News

Disaster management experts have suggested immediate initiatives to identify and retrofit vulnerable buildings in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet as they are concerned about likelihood of earthquakes in the major cities.

They said such disasters, if hit the major cities, will cause huge damage to life and property, as many buildings are not earthquake resistant and authorities concerned not well equipped.

The observations came at the launching ceremony of Earthquake and Tsunami/Storm Surge Preparedness Component under Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) at a city hotel yesterday.

The experts also recommended detailed analysis of tsunami risk along the coast and investigation into the probability of submarine landslides [that generate tsunami] in the Bay of Bengal.

They said there is a threat of a major earthquake any time in Bangladesh, as an earthquake of 7.6 magnitude hit Srimongal in 1918 and such earthquakes usually occur every 100-150 years.

Bangladesh National Building Code includes detailed guidelines for earthquake resistant design of steel and concrete structures, but it is not properly followed, said BRAC University Vice-Chancellor Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury in his keynote presentation on Risk of Earthquake, Tsunami and Storm Surge in Bangladesh and Mitigatory Measures.

In absence of proper enforcement, many of the new buildings, which continue to be designed and constructed, do not have adequate provisions for seismic resistance, he said. “Strict enforcement is a must to avoid catastrophes in case of future earthquakes.”

Lt Gen Masud Uddin Chowdhury said: “We don’t have equipment to reach the spots for rescue if there are any major earthquakes in the capital.”

He said initiatives should be taken to mobilise adequate equipment, train the agencies concerned to handle the disasters and create mass awareness.

“We have submitted a proposal to the government in this regard,” he said, adding, if approved, it will help them to be better prepared. The enforcement of the building code by Rajuk has also improved, he observed.

The BRAC VC proposed establishment of embankments or sea walls to prevent ingress of surge water, construction of strong houses, evacuation to safer places, community shelters for general people and livestock and development of forecasting and warning system mitigating measures of surges with cyclones.

Normal time use of the facilities as educational institutions and other community development and income generating activities may play a very important role in socioeconomic development, he noted.

Emphasising accurate warning system, Prof Jamilur Reza said the tsunami alert issued on September 12 in 2007 led to large-scale evacuation and millions of people were taken to shelters.

This incorrect warning had some negative impacts during Cyclone Sidr when some people were reluctant to move to shelters, he added.

“A system for public education and dissemination of the warning to enable the people at risk to quickly move to the cyclone shelters needs to be developed.”

Dr Stefan Frowein, ambassador and head of Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh, said high-rise construction is booming in the major cities of Bangladesh. But quality of buildings is often low and existing regulations on standards are hardly enforced.

“It’s horrifying to imagine the magnitude of damage and loss in human life a serious earthquake could trigger here.”

Earthquake and Tsunami/Storm Surge Preparedness Component supported by European Commission is preparing seismic hazard and vulnerability map for Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet. It is also and developing tsunami and storm surge inundation and vulnerability maps for coastal infrastructures and industries that are sources of livelihood.

“Based on scientific work a detailed contingency plan will be developed for earthquake, tsunami and tidal surge prone areas,” said CDMP National Advocacy Expert SM Morshed.

UNDP Country Director Manoj Basnyat, DFID Acting Country Representative Sarah Sanyahumbi, CDMP Chief Technical Adviser Ian Rector also spoke at the ceremony chaired by Disaster Management Bureau Director General KH Masud Siddiqui.