Massive tremor may hit country ‘by 2018’

“Around 73pc of buildings in Dhaka, 78pc in Ctg and 98pc in Sylhet will be damaged in case of major quakes”

Experts fear that a massive tremor may hit Bangladesh by 2018 as the country lies in a seismic zone where big tremors hit every 100 years. In 1918, a massive earthquake had hit Sreemangal in Sylhet. Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet face a big risk of quakes. If a huge temblor hits these cities now, around 73 per cent of buildings in Dhaka, 78 in Chittagong and 98 in Sylhet will be damaged, a study of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) of the disaster management and relief ministry revealed yesterday. The experts suggested that the government should ensure proper implementation of the building code, strengthen private rescuers like fire services and civil defence, and offer tax waivers and low-interest loans for installation of earthquake-proof equipment in buildings.
The recommendations were given at a workshop organised by the disaster management and relief ministry held in the city’s Hotel Abakash. The ministry is organising a series of workshops on different issues to raise awareness on disaster management among citizens. Disaster management ministry secretary Shah Kamal chaired the workshop. Disaster management and relief minister Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Dhaka South mayor Annisul Huq, Asia Pacific University vice chancellor Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury, fire services and civil defence director general Brig. Gen. Ali Ahmed Khan, Dhaka University professor ASM Maksud Kamal, and president of the Institute of Architects, Bangladesh (IAB), Mobasher Hossain, also spoke on the occasion.
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansary, disaster management ministry’s joint secretary Kamrul Hassan and fire services director Major Shakil Newaz presented keynote papers at the workshop.
Maya expressed dissatisfaction with Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and two city corporations for dilly-dallying about the demolition of 321 risky buildings in accordance with the ministry’s recommendations.
He said several steps to ensure proper disaster management have been taken in the country. The government has already bought disaster management equipment worth around Tk. 79 crore and more equipment worth Tk. 100 crore will be procured, he added.
Annisul Huq said, “Experts fear that a massive tremor may hit Bangladesh in 2018… But we don’t have adequate equipment to rescue all victims. The government must buy more rescue equipment to deal with disasters. We must train more volunteers to work during and after disasters like earthquakes or cyclones.”
The government has trained around 30,000 urban volunteers over the last six years, out of the target of 62,000. The rest will also be trained soon. The two city corporations of Dhaka have also taken steps to form earthquake management committees in every ward.

Massive tremor may hit country by 2018

“Around 73pc of buildings in Dhaka, 78pc in Ctg and 98pc in Sylhet will be damaged in case of major quakes”

Experts fear that a massive tremor may hit Bangladesh by 2018 as the country lies in a seismic zone where big tremors hit every 100 years. In 1918, a massive earthquake had hit Sreemangal in Sylhet. Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet face a big risk of quakes. If a huge temblor hits these cities now, around 73 per cent of buildings in Dhaka, 78 in Chittagong and 98 in Sylhet will be damaged, a study of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) of the disaster management and relief ministry revealed yesterday. The experts suggested that the government should ensure proper implementation of the building code, strengthen private rescuers like fire services and civil defence, and offer tax waivers and low-interest loans for installation of earthquake-proof equipment in buildings. The recommendations were given at a workshop organised by the disaster management and relief ministry held in the citys Hotel Abakash. The ministry is organising a series of workshops on different issues to raise awareness on disaster management among citizens. Disaster management ministry secretary Shah Kamal chaired the workshop. Disaster management and relief minister Mofazzel Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Dhaka South mayor Annisul Huq, Asia Pacific University vice chancellor Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury, fire services and civil defence director general Brig. Gen. Ali Ahmed Khan, Dhaka University professor ASM Maksud Kamal, and president of the Institute of Architects, Bangladesh (IAB), Mobasher Hossain, also spoke on the occasion. Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansary, disaster management ministrys joint secretary Kamrul Hassan and fire services director Major Shakil Newaz presented keynote papers at the workshop. Maya expressed dissatisfaction with Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and two city corporations for dilly-dallying about the demolition of 321 risky buildings in accordance with the ministrys recommendations. He said several steps to ensure proper disaster management have been taken in the country. The government has already bought disaster management equipment worth around Tk. 79 crore and more equipment worth Tk. 100 crore will be procured, he added. Annisul Huq said, Experts fear that a massive tremor may hit Bangladesh in 2018 But we dont have adequate equipment to rescue all victims. The government must buy more rescue equipment to deal with disasters. We must train more volunteers to work during and after disasters like earthquakes or cyclones. The government has trained around 30,000 urban volunteers over the last six years, out of the target of 62,000. The rest will also be trained soon. The two city corporations of Dhaka have also taken steps to form earthquake management committees in every ward.