United News of Bangladesh

Scientists have developed a new method to track falling space debris in real time using data from existing earthquake sensors, offering greater safety and faster response to potential hazards. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College London demonstrated that seismic sensors, already installed worldwide, can detect the sonic booms of debris entering the atmosphere. The technique was successfully applied to a 1.5-ton module from China’s Shenzhou 17 spacecraft, which landed hundreds of kilometers off previous predictions. Benjamin Fernando, lead author of the study, said radar and optical tracking work in orbit but atmospheric entry makes debris paths unpredictable. “Ground radars are limited and cannot track debris breakups effectively. Our method provides real-time data for authorities to act faster,” he added. The system analysed signals from 127 earthquake sensors across California to trace the module’s fall, showing it deviated about 40 kilometers from U.S. Space Command estimates. Experts say this innovation could improve monitoring of returning satellites, spent rockets, and other orbital debris, reducing risks to populated areas and infrastructure. This breakthrough highlights the growing importance of using existing global monitoring networks for space safety and disaster preparedness.   With inputs from NDTV

An earthquake was felt in Sylhet and surrounding areas early Monday morning. According to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) and other international earthquake monitoring agencies, the earthquake measured 5.4 on the Richter scale. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the tremor jolted the region at 4:47am. The epicenter was 14 kilometers south-southwest of Dhing town in Assam, India, and 68 kilometers northeast of Guwahati, with a depth of around 35 kilometers below the surface. Residents reported feeling the tremor in several areas of Sylhet city including Kumarpara, Zindabazar, Upashahar, Ambarkhana, Tilagor, and Shahporan police station areas, as well as in the upazilas of South Surma, Jaintapur, and Companiganj. Many Facebook users posted that they had felt the tremor early in the morning. Earthquake Alerts: Best Free Mobile Apps in 2025-26 The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has not yet officially confirmed the magnitude or epicenter of the earthquake but the matter is under observation, BMD sources said.

A powerful 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck southern and central Mexico on Friday, disrupting President Claudia Sheinbaum’s first press conference of the year as seismic alarms rang out and claiming at least two lives. Mexico’s National Seismological Service said the quake was centered near San Marcos in the southern state of Guerrero, close to the Pacific coast resort city of Acapulco. More than 500 aftershocks were recorded following the main tremor. Guerrero’s civil defense authority reported several landslides in and around Acapulco as well as on highways across the state. Governor Evelyn Salgado said a 50-year-old woman was killed when her house collapsed in a small community near the epicenter. Officials also reported significant structural damage to a hospital in Chilpancingo, the state capital, prompting the evacuation of patients. In both Mexico City and Acapulco, residents and visitors rushed outdoors as buildings shook. Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada said one person died after suffering an apparent medical emergency and falling while evacuating a building. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of 21.7 miles (35 kilometers), about 2.5 miles north-northwest of Rancho Viejo, Guerrero, in a mountainous area roughly 57 miles northeast of Acapulco. Sheinbaum resumed her briefing shortly after the tremor. José Raymundo Díaz Taboada, a doctor and human rights activist living on the hills surrounding Acapulco, said he heard a loud rumble and noticed dogs barking before the shaking intensified. 6.9 magnitude earthquake causes small tsunami waves off northeastern Japan “At that moment, the seismic alert sounded on my phone,” he said. “Then the movement became strong and very noisy.” He added that the tremor felt weaker than some previous earthquakes, noting he had packed an emergency bag as aftershocks continued. Díaz Taboada said he was unable to contact friends along the Costa Chica southeast of Acapulco due to disrupted communications.

A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck northeastern Japan late Monday night (December 08, 2025), prompting a tsunami warning for wide stretches of the Pacific coastline, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The quake struck at 11:15 p.m. local time at a depth of 50 km and registered upper 6 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale of 7 in the hardest-hit areas, the agency said. Read more: Earthquake: Matlab Bridge crack triggers fears as thousands cross every day Tsunami warnings have been issued for coastal regions of Hokkaido, Aomori and Iwate prefectures, where waves as high as 3 meters are expected. The epicenter was located off the eastern coast of Aomori at 41.0 degrees north latitude and 142.3 degrees east longitude. A tsunami advisory was also issued for Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures following the strong tremor. Authorities urged residents in the warned areas to move to higher ground immediately as aftershocks are likely. Read more: Earthquake Alerts: Best Free Mobile Apps in 2025-26

A deep crack at the joint of the vital ‘Matlab Bridge’ over the Dhonagoda River has sparked alarm among residents and motorists, raising concerns about a serious disaster if urgent repairs are not carried out. The bridge, which connects Matlab South and Matlab North upazilas and serves as a major route for travellers heading to Dhaka from Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Lakshmipur, Raipur, Ramganj and Hajiganj, sees thousands of vehicles pass over it every day. ‘It wasn’t there before quake’ Locals say the problem became visible only after the 5.7 magnitude earthquake on 21 November, which shook much of the country. During a visit to the site, it was found that shifting soil beneath the approach roads has created a large cavity, exposing iron rods and lifting sections of concrete. Read more: Earthquake Alerts: Best Free Mobile Apps in 2025-26 A sizeable hole has also opened on the approach road, turning it into a hazard for unsuspecting drivers. A noticeable gap has developed in the bridge’s central joint, and the structure visibly trembles when heavy vehicles pass, leaving regular users fearful. “There were no such issues before the earthquake,” said Mojibur Rahman, one of the residents, who urged the authorities to conduct a thorough inspection before it is too late. Others, including Kamrul Hasan and Golam Nabi, echoed the call, pointing out that emergency service vehicles, students and ambulances carrying patients are forced to use the compromised bridge daily. People are crossing it at great risk, they said. An essential structure at risk Built under a government project initiated in the 2015–16 fiscal year, the bridge was designed to ease communication between the northern and southern parts of Chandpur, reduce travel time to Dhaka and improve regional connectivity. The project originally carried a cost of Tk 84 crore, including Tk 56 crore for the bridge and Tk 28 crore for land acquisition. Read more: Only 3,252 out of 21 lakh buildings in Dhaka, Gazipur assessed for earthquake safety: RAJUK However, the structure—comprising seven spans, each 10.25 metres wide, and approach roads stretching 1.86 kilometres—was ultimately completed in June 2018 for Tk 92 crore. Since its inauguration, it has become a lifeline for thousands of commuters. Now, its deteriorating condition has left users anxious. College teacher Md Joynal Abedin described the situation as “very alarming”, while schoolgirl Nusrat Jahan said she feels unsafe every day: “It shakes a lot when heavy vehicles go over it.” Badiul Alam Babu, general secretary of Nirapad Sarak Chai for Matlab South, said the issue extends beyond the bridge itself. “The approach roads are also in very poor condition. This is an essential bridge. The department concerned must repair it without delay.” Promise of Action Matlab South Upazila Engineer Anwar Hossain said repair work would begin ‘very soon’. Chandpur Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Aliul Hossain added that engineers were being sent to assess the bridge. “Necessary action will be taken based on the enquiry report,” he said. For now, however, thousands continue to cross the compromised structure each day, hoping it will hold until repairs begin. Read more: Ceiling And Wall Cracks After An Earthquake: When To Worry

When the ground tremor occurs without warning, safety issues often feel incomplete until mobile apps for earthquake alerts enter the picture. Bangladesh, with its long-known vulnerability to seismic pressure, has a particular stake in fast, reliable alerts. Technology is quietly reinforcing hope here, offering ordinary phone users a chance to react milliseconds earlier. Such tools may not erase the threat, yet they help people face it with clearer information and steadier nerves. Let's explore the top reliable earthquake warning apps for smartphones that could shape preparedness strategies heading into 2025-26. Top Free Earthquake Warning Apps for Android and iOS Devices A new wave of seismic tools is reshaping how people prepare for sudden ground shifts. Here’s a quick look at the mobile apps, built to deliver faster alerts and clearer information when it counts. MyShake Earthquake Alerts Earthquake early warnings often feel abstract until the ground actually moves, which is why the system built into ‘MyShake’ tends to stand out. Developed at the UC Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, it sends notifications for magnitude-4.5-and-up quakes a few seconds before the shaking reaches you. This is a narrow window, yet often enough to steady yourself or move away from danger. Read more: Top 10 Smartphones Debuting in December 2025 The app has been around since February 12, 2016, and runs on both Android 9+ and iOS 12+, a broad range that keeps it accessible. Some users argue that the lead time varies a bit depending on their location. But that’s the nature of seismic networks rather than a flaw in the tool itself. Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.berkeley.bsl.myshake IOS: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1467058529 My Earthquake Alerts People lean on quick post-event information more than full early warning systems, which is exactly where ‘My Earthquake Alerts’ finds its purpose. Released back on May 3, 2015, by JRustonApps B.V., it focuses on notifying users moments after an earthquake occurs. The alerts aim for speed and clarity rather than prediction. It’s compatible with Android 7+ and iOS 15+, giving it wide appeal among everyday users. Clean, reliable data is always helpful when there are no extra layers of scientific detail. Read more: 10 Popular Room Heater Models for Bangladeshi Homes within 10000 Taka in 2025-26 However, some might wish for pre-shaking alerts, yet the app’s strength lies in simplicity and fast reporting. Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrustonapps.myearthquakealerts&hl=en IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/my-earthquake-alerts-feed/id975709372 LastQuake For those who prefer understanding the broader picture rather than relying on automated alarms, LastQuake offers something different. Offered by EMSC-CSEM and shaped directly by seismologists, it gathers reports from witnesses, often the first to feel a tremor. The information-centric approach uses mobile technologies to collect photos, videos, and rapid questionnaires. Though it doesn’t function as a traditional alert system, it does allow personalised notifications based on magnitude, distance, and even voice alerts. Read more: How to Get Traffic Updates in Dhaka: Useful Apps and Sources Running on Android 7+ and iOS 11+, and active since June 18, 2014, it has built a reputation as a crowd-powered window into how earthquakes unfold in real time. Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.emsc_csem.lastquake&hl=en IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lastquake/id890799748 Android Earthquake Alerts System Many Android users never realise their phones already carry a built-in seismic tool, one that sits quietly in the background until needed. That system, known as the ‘Android Earthquake Alerts System’, arrived in Bangladesh on July 19, 2022. It was shaped with input from seismology researchers at UC Berkeley, the same group behind ‘MyShake’. It works with most Android models running Android 5.0 or later, using the phone’s own accelerometers to sense early tremors and warn people within range. Read more: Best Free Bangladeshi Online Doctor Apps for Android, iOS Alerts appear only for magnitude-4.5-and-above quakes, which keeps the noise down but leaves room for debate about smaller, still-felt events. Anyone wanting to activate it can do so through Settings < Location < Advanced < Earthquake Alerts. QuakeFeed Earthquake Alerts iPhone users tend to take a different route, often turning to a dedicated platform such as ‘QuakeFeed’, released by Artisan Global LLC. Despite launching only in 2021, it has built a following by offering a broad spread of free features. It spans from worldwide quake mapping to hazard tracking for wildfires, hurricanes, volcanoes, and smoke. Read more: DNCC Smart Parking App: How to Utilise Smart Parking The app supports iOS 15 and up, and focuses on customisation, nearby alerts, regional filters, a 3D globe, satellite and street maps, and a fault-line layer for those who like to dig deeper. Some may find the interface a bit crowded, yet the range of tools makes it flexible for both casual users and detail-seekers. IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/quakefeed-earthquake-alerts/id403037266 Pilling Up These popular mobile apps for earthquake warnings are proof of how seriously digital preparedness is moving towards 2025-2026. The built-in Android quake alerts system still stands apart for its speed and freedom from third-party dependencies. Tools like MyShake, My Earthquake Alerts, and LastQuake help both Android and iOS users stay informed, while QuakeFeed rounds out the lineup for those on iOS alone. All in all, these apps continue widening the scope of how communities brace for the next earthquake. Read more: Find Bus Routes in Dhaka with 6 Android Apps          

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

A mild earthquake was felt in parts of Bangladesh including Chattogram early Tuesday (December 02). The tremor measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale was recorded at 12:55am, said meteorologist Shahnaj Sultana of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Read more: Ceiling And Wall Cracks After An Earthquake: When To Worry The epicentre was in Mingin of Myanmar 431 km southeast of BMD Seismic Centre in Agargaon, she said.

Rajdhani Unnayn Kartipakkha (RAJUK) has assessed the earthquake resilience and risk of only 3,252 structures among 21 lakh buildings in Dhaka and Gazipur so far. RAJUK Executive Engineer Khandaker Md Wahid Sadiq shared the information on Monday (November 24) at a views-exchange meeting titled "Preparedness and Actions to Reduce Earthquake Risk” held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in the capital. He said RAJUK has conducted earthquake resilience and risk assessments of 3,252 buildings in Dhaka and Gazipur using the FEMA-310 guideline for seismic evaluation. Frequent Earthquakes: Can Dhaka prepare itself for the big one? Among these, 2,705 educational institutions, 207 hospitals, 36 police stations, and 307 other buildings have undergone the Rapid Visual Assessment (RVA), he said. Of them, 579 buildings including 568 educational institutions, 5 hospitals, 3 fire stations, and 3 other buildings have completed the Preliminary Engineering Assessment (PEA). A total of 187 buildings including 94 schools, 78 colleges,11 universities and 4 hospitals, have undergone the Detailed Engineering Assessment (DEA) for which RAJUK has recommended retrofitting. Dhaka can’t withstand major quake; 95% of its buildings unplanned: Experts   RAJUK has also recommended the demolition of 42 buildings in Dhaka and Gazipur due to high seismic risk, said the RAJUK official. Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan attended the event presided over by RAJUK Chairman Md Riazul Islam.

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