United News of Bangladesh

A mild earthquake jolted Dhaka and nearby areas early Thursday (December 04), according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). BMD reported that the 4.1-magnitude quake struck at around 6:14am, with its epicentre in Shibpur upazila of Narsingdi, about 38 kilometres northeast of the BMD Seismic Observatory and Research Centre in Agargaon.  No casualties have been reported so far. Mild earthquake jolts Dhaka, adjacent areas again The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre placed the epicentre 33 kilometres east-northeast of Tongi and three kilometres north of Narsingdi, at a depth of 30 kilometres. A stronger earthquake, measuring 5.7 in magnitude, had earlier shaken Dhaka and several regions on November 21, also originating from Narsingdi.  Since then, several minor tremors have been recorded across the country, most with epicentres in Narsingdi. Read more: Ceiling And Wall Cracks After An Earthquake: When To Worry

Central Bangladesh, including capital Dhaka, the most densely populated megacity (population above 10 million) in the world has been shaken by a series of earthquakes over just two days, raising serious concerns about the city’s preparedness for a major tremor. Experts have warned that the overpopulated capital of Bangladesh could become a hotspot for earthquake vulnerability, as nearly 90% of its older buildings were constructed without adhering to proper building codes. Concerns intensified following the powerful, 5.7-magnitude earthquake that struck at 10:38am on Friday, shattering the usual weekend calm and turning the holiday into a frightening experience for residents of the capital. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the epicenter of the 26-second quake was in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, and its depth was recorded at just 10 kilometres below the surface. The tremor, felt across several parts of Bangladesh, left at least 10 people dead - four in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi and one in Narayanganj. Over 600 people were also injured. It is rare for earthquakes in Bangladesh to result in multiple fatalities. The last time it happened was in 1999, when an intense earthquake shook the island of Moheskhali, killing 6 people. Hundreds were also injured on the island off the coast of Chattogram in the country’s south-east. But Friday’s quake was instantly recognisable as something different, with deeper repercussions. Besides the casualties being spread across three districts, the epicentre being so close to Dhaka caused a projected 10 million people in Dhaka to feel ‘strong shaking’, according to the United States Geological Survey, which is the leading authority on earthquake data worldwide. Dhaka can’t withstand major quake; 95% of its buildings unplanned: Experts   Closer to the epicentre in Narsingdi, about 300,000 people were projected to have felt ‘high-intensity’ shaking. Literally everyone we spoke to in the capital confirmed they had never felt the ground shaking like it did during Friday’s quake. It was followed almost exactly 24 hours later by a much smaller aftershock, again with its epicentre in Narsingdi’s Palash upazila. The BMD reported that this quake, measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale, occurred at 10:36am on Saturday, about 29 km west of the BMD Seismic Centre in Agargaon. And then on Saturday evening, a third tremor in the space of 32 hours, considered a second aftershock of Friday’s quake, was felt in parts of Narsingdi and nearby districts including Dhaka. According to USGS, this latest quake measured 4.3 on the Richter scale and struck at 6:06pm local time, with its epicentre located 11 kilometres west of Narsingdi at a depth of 10 kilometres. Even though no casualties were reported from either of the two aftershocks, they served to heighten anxiety, confirming that the fault lines lying deep beneath them in the earth’s crust had become seismologically active. Several buildings across various areas of Dhaka were damaged after Friday’s earthquake. According to the Dhaka district administration, at least 14 buildings in the capital sustained damage from the quake, while the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) put the number at over 50, including many that had tilted. For survivors, the psychological impact lingers. For many, the ground no longer feels stable, and the fear of a stronger quake currently haunts millions across Dhaka. “I am a student of Mujib Hall (2024–2025 session). I became traumatized because of the earthquake. I live in the July Smriti Bhaban of Mujib Hall. Now, whenever a vehicle passes by my building or I hear even the slightest sound, I panic,” a Dhaka University student shared. “It feels as if another earthquake is happening. I repeatedly check my room and surroundings to see if there is a tremor,” he added. At least four students were seriously injured after jumping from the residential hall buildings of Dhaka University in panic during Friday’s quake. The university ended up first cancelling all classes scheduled for Sunday, before a syndicate meeting on Saturday suspended all academic activities till December 6, citing the physical and mental stress caused by the earthquake and its aftershocks, as well as the need to renovate the residential halls. Risky Buildings in Dhaka According to RAJUK, the first list of risky buildings was prepared in 2010 and updated in 2016. Currently, Dhaka has 321 extremely risky buildings, mostly in Old Dhaka. In 2024, RAJUK also identified 30 risky buildings across 21 educational institutions. A RAJUK survey conducted under the Urban Resilience Project between 2018 and 2022 found that approximately 865,000 buildings in Dhaka could collapse if a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Madhupur Fault near Tangail. Such a scenario could result in 210,000 deaths and 229,000 injuries if it occurred during daytime hours. Bangladesh’s cities, including Dhaka and Chattogram, remain highly vulnerable to earthquakes due to widespread disregard for building codes, master plans, and land-use zoning, according to the Institute for Planning and Development (IPD). Bangladesh Earthquake: Fire Service issues 8 safety guidelines Adil Muhammad Khan, Professor at the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at Jahangirnagar University, emphasized the urgent need for preparedness, citing the recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar as a stark reminder of the risks. Experts have also expressed concern that, despite the formation of multiple reform commissions, the interim government has yet to establish a dedicated authority for planned urbanization, sustainable housing, and building safety. The Bangladesh Institute of Planners criticised the formation of an advisory council allegedly influenced by real estate developers to amend Dhaka’s Detailed Area Plan (DAP), favouring unrestricted high-rise construction. A new paradigm in construction When a 9.1-magnitude earthquake struck Japan in 2011, in buildings equipped with an innovation known as ‘base isolation’, not even a glass fell from the shelves. It is a construction technique in which the building (or other such establishment)is not rigidly attached to the ground. Instead, hundreds of special rubber–lead bearings are installed beneath it. When an earthquake hits, the ground may shake violently, but the building above moves gently — swaying slowly rather than shaking hard. As a result, people, furniture, equipment, and interior structures remain almost completely unaffected. Today in Japan, nearly all new towers, buildings, hospitals, schools, and data centres are required to have this system. Even 40–50-year-old buildings are being retrofitted by cutting the foundation and installing base isolation to give them a new, safer life. Some engineers recommend that Bangladesh should move in this direction to save itself from a catastrophic situation in the future. Under the Bangladesh National Building Code-2020 (BNBC-2020), important structures in Dhaka and Chattogram have already started using base-isolation systems. The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, several metro rail stations, and a few new towers are already implementing this technology. A paper titled “Status of Base Isolation Applications in Bangladesh” was presented at the 19th World Conference on Seismic Isolation, Energy Dissipation and Active Vibration Control of Structure at Berkeley, USA in September this year. Home Adviser urges people to follow earthquake safety measures Tahmeed Al-Hussaini from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and Khondaker Sakil Ahmed from the Military Institute of Science and Technology described the significance of the use of this technology. They mentioned that Bangladesh, located near the plate boundaries of Indian and Eurasian plates to its north and east, possesses significant seismic risk. Seismic Zone V of India, assigned with the highest seismic risk in that country, encircles Bangladesh on its northern and eastern sides. Their paper also referred to the fact that base-isolation has been adopted in two major bridges of Bangladesh. The 4.8-km Jamuna Bridge contains seismic steel pintles for earthquake protection, while the 6.1-km Padma Bridge contains double concave friction pendulum bearings. Analysis shows satisfactory performance of both base isolation systems. Particularly for Padma Bridge, the seismic demand on the bridge was large due to very deep pile foundations, double deck heavy superstructure and deep scour in the Padma River. Research results show that base isolation may be satisfactorily applied for mid-rise to high-rise buildings in Bangladesh. And the first application of base isolation to a building in Bangladesh is planned for a new headquarters of the Fire Service and Civil Defense in Dhaka. Considering earthquake risk, Bangladesh is divided into three seismic zones. Among them, the high-risk areas fall under Zone-1, medium-risk areas under Zone-2, and the least-risk areas under Zone-3. A map published by the Meteorological Department identifies the earthquake-prone regions of the country. In particular, nine districts of the Sylhet and Mymensingh divisions; parts of Tangail, Gazipur, and Narsingdi in the Dhaka division; the entire Kishoreganj district; Brahmanbaria in the Cumilla division; and large areas of the hill districts Khagrachhari and Rangamati are identified as high-risk zones. Ceiling And Wall Cracks After An Earthquake: When To Worry Statistics show that between 1976 and 2015, Bangladesh experienced at least five major earthquakes. Almost all of these originated in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Rangamati, Bandarban, and Cox’s Bazar. Historically, it has been expected that these areas may also experience stronger quakes in the future. But the rapid and unplanned development of centrally located Dhaka city in the period since independence, and its proximity to the epicentre of the weekend’s tremors, are triggering renewed concerns over the fate that awaits the capital’s residents. During the inspection at three affected areas of Dhaka on Saturday, the RAJUK Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam said this earthquake was a warning for us. “If we do not take it seriously, a major disaster awaits,” he warned. He added that authorities are preparing a list of the buildings that were damaged in the quake. The risky structures are being inspected on-site, and those found highly unsafe are being sealed or closed. “In some cases, dangerous installations are being removed. Unless all of us become aware and act responsibly, we may face a severe catastrophe in the near future.” Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has warned that nearly 90% of old buildings in Dhaka were constructed without following the building codes, leaving the capital extremely vulnerable; especially in light of the recent earthquakes. Speaking to journalists in Mirpur on Friday, she said the latest tremor should serve as a serious wake-up call for Bangladesh. “We have never experienced earthquakes this strong. Repeated warnings are being issued; this is the time to prepare,” she said. 10 Most Earthquake-prone Countries around the World

Dhaka, one of the world’s most densely populated megacities, may face a catastrophic humanitarian disaster if struck by a major earthquake, leading geologists and engineers have warned. Multiple assessments indicate that more than eight lakh of the capital’s 21.45 lakh buildings could collapse if a quake of magnitude 7 or higher hits the region. Poor enforcement of the national building code, unauthorised construction, flawed designs and decades of lax oversight have placed the city among the most earthquake-vulnerable capitals in the world, according to the experts. A Warning Jolt On November 21, Dhaka and surrounding districts experienced severe shaking from a magnitude-5.7 earthquake. At least 10 people were confirmed dead and more than 100 injured. A magnitude-3.3 aftershock struck Narsingdi area the following morning and evening, heightening concerns that a larger and more destructive quake may be imminent. Bangladesh’s leading geologists say the quake was not an isolated event, but a precursor to something more dangerous. ‘Plate Lock Has Opened’ Dr Syed Humayun Akhter, former professor of geology at the University of Dhaka and former vice-chancellor of Bangladesh Open University, told UNB that the earthquake originated along the boundary of the Burma Plate in the east and the Indian Plate in the west. “This plate boundary had been locked for many years. The magnitude-5.7 event has unlocked it,” he said. Read more: Ceiling And Wall Cracks After An Earthquake: When To Worry According to him, Bangladesh narrowly avoided a far worse disaster. “We are fortunate the quake was not magnitude 7 or 7.5. But such a major earthquake may happen in the near future.” Research shows that the region has accumulated enough tectonic stress to trigger a quake as powerful as magnitude 8.2 to 9, Dr Akhter added. “Only a tiny amount of that energy was released this time.” He said Friday’s shaking was among the strongest felt in recent memory, with a shallow depth of just 10 kilometres—making it far more damaging. Bangladesh Sits on Three Active Plates Dr Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan, professor at the University of Dhaka’s Department of Geology, explained that Bangladesh lies near the junction of three major tectonic plates—the Indian, Burmese and Eurasian plates—making earthquakes inevitable. The country’s subsurface is composed largely of soft sedimentary rocks that amplify shaking. When the natural frequency of the ground matches the vibration frequency of buildings, the effects are devastating, he warned. Dhaka’s Buildings Are Not Ready A 2022 Urban Resilience Project by Rajuk painted an alarming picture: Total buildings in Dhaka: 21,45,000At risk of collapse: Over 8,00,000 (40%)High-rise buildings: Over 75,000—most built without meeting minimum standardsBetween 2006 and 2016, around 95,000 buildings were constructed in the capital. Shockingly, only 4,147 had Rajuk approval, meaning 95.36% were unauthorised or built without approved designs. Construction by untrained masons, design alterations mid-construction and widespread unauthorised development have pushed the city to the brink of a structural disaster, experts say. Govt closely monitoring earthquake aftermath in Bangladesh: Chief Adviser Rajuk Responds: ‘Accountability Being Strengthened’ Rajuk Chairman Engineer Md Riazul Islam told UNB that the agency is trying to bring long-neglected accountability back into the system. So far, 3,382 illegal or non-compliant buildings have been identified. Following Friday’s quake, all Rajuk officials’ leave was cancelled and teams were sent to inspect cracked or damaged structures. New Plan: Colour-Code At-Risk Buildings Rajuk officials said international-grade technology will soon be introduced for mandatory building fitness assessments. Under the new plan, buildings will be marked in different colours based on structural safety—illegal, vulnerable or earthquake-resistant—to allow residents to immediately understand which structures are habitable. Oversight Failures Compound the Risk Md Abdul Latif Helali, former chief engineer of Rajuk, said building standards are routinely ignored. “A magnitude-5.7 earthquake already caused cracks in many buildings. A magnitude-7 quake would create unimaginable devastation.” He revealed that sophisticated equipment purchased under the World Bank-funded Urban Resilience Project—worth hundreds of crores—remained unused due to bureaucratic apathy. A proposed trust to assess disaster-resilient buildings in Mohakhali is also stalled in administrative hurdles. ‘Dhaka Will Be Unmanageable After a Major Quake’ BUET’s former professor M Shamimuzzaman Bosunia warned that despite some improvement in preparedness, the government simply does not have the capacity to manage the aftermath of a major earthquake. “Gas and electricity lines will ignite fires. Water and sewage systems will collapse. Survivors won’t even find a safe route to evacuate. Dhaka will become unliveable,” he said. What You Should Do During Earthquake Strongest Shaking in Recent Times Rubaiyat Kabir, acting head of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) Earthquake Monitoring Centre, said the 5.7-magnitude quake was the strongest in decades. While smaller quakes of magnitude 4 to 5 have been recorded elsewhere in the country in recent months, those originated outside Bangladesh. “This region has a history of large earthquakes. A major quake can occur at any time, but predicting the exact moment is impossible,” he added. BMD Director (in-charge) Md Mominul Islam said Dhaka’s weak soil prolongs shaking. He said the first 72 hours after any earthquake are the most critical. Two aftershocks following Friday’s quake were normal, he said, but the sequence serves as a stark reminder of the country’s high seismic risk. Incapable Fire Service Former Director General of Fire Service and Civil Defence Brigadier General (retd) Ali Ahmed Khan told UNB that while the force has some preparedness, its capacity is far from adequate for a major disaster. “More trained volunteers are urgently needed. Hospitals must have adequate emergency facilities and blood bank reserves,” he said. Bangladesh earthquake death toll rises to 10; scores injured

The third mild earthquake, considered an aftershock of Friday’s powerful tremor, was felt in parts of Narsingdi and nearby districts on Saturday evening, heightening concern among residents. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the latest quake, measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale, struck at 6:06 pm (local time). Its epicenter was located 11 kilometres west of Narsingdi at a depth of 10 kilometres. Earlier in the morning, another aftershock was felt in Narsingdi's Palash upazila. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the quake, measuring 3.3 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 10:36 am. Its epicentre was located about 29 km west of the BMD Seismic Centre in Agargaon. However, no damage or casualties were reported, officials said. Read more: Ceiling And Wall Cracks After An Earthquake: When To Worry Friday’s 5.7-magnitude earthquake, which hit several parts of Bangladesh, left at least 10 people dead and dozens injured. Of the casualties, four were reported in Dhaka, five in Narsingdi — the epicentre — and one in Narayanganj.

Two people who died during Friday's (November 21) earthquake in Narsingdi were laid to eternal rest at their village home in Kishoreganj district on Saturday. The deceased were identified as Delwar Hossain Ujjal, 37 and his son Omar Faruk, 12, residents of Gabtoli in Narsingdi district town. The first namaz-e-janaza of the duo was held at Jameya Kashemia Kamil Madrasah in Gabtoli area in Narsingdi on Friday midnight where additional deputy commissioner of Narsingdi Abu Taher Mohammad Samsuzzaman, BNP district unit BNP President Khairul Kabir Khokon and others were present there. Later, the bodies was taken to Hossainpur upazila of Kishoreganj district where the 2nd janaza was held and they were buried. Additional deputy commissioner of Narsingdi Abu Taher, said five people were killed in the earthquake and the local administration provided Tk 25,000 each to the family members of each deceased. Earlier on Friday, a six-storey building collapsed on the adjacent house of Delwar Hossain during an earthquake in Gabtoli area of Narsingdi district town, leaving Delwar, his son Omar and daughter Tasfia injured. Read more: Ceiling And Wall Cracks After An Earthquake: When To Worry Later, they were taken to Narsingdi Sadar Hospital from where Delwar and Omar were referred to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. Delwar died on way to Dhaka while Omar died at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.