Bangladesh on edge: Experts warn of major earthquake as small tremors continue

Bangladesh has been shaking under the weight of frequent earthquakes, and experts are growing increasingly concerned. 

In the last week alone, the country has experienced two earthquakes, and over the past 90 days, there have been more than 50 tremors of different magnitudes in and around Bangladesh. 

In the last 15 years, more than 150 earthquakes, both big and small, have rattled the country. 

Many believe these small earthquakes are just the beginning, with the possibility of a much larger, more destructive quake on the horizon.

Dhaka, the capital, is one of the 20 cities in the world considered to be at the highest risk for earthquakes. 

Experts are warning that if a major quake were to hit Bangladesh, the damage could be catastrophic. 

Despite the warnings, however, no government has taken meaningful steps to prepare for the worst or reduce potential damage.

Experts say that these smaller tremors are a warning sign of something much bigger to come. Bangladesh’s geographical location puts it in a high-risk area for earthquakes. 

Should a major earthquake occur, cities like Sylhet, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chittagong, and Dhaka are most at risk.

The situation became even more alarming on January 7, when a 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet, killing over 100 people. 

This earthquake, which also shook parts of Bangladesh, Nepal, and India, is a stark reminder of the seismic activity in the region. 

The area is located along a major fault line, making it prone to frequent earthquakes.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Bangladesh is located in an active seismic zone due to its proximity to the Indian and Myanmar tectonic plates. 

The occurrence of so many smaller earthquakes in the region has experts worried that stronger earthquakes are becoming more likely. 

In fact, Dhaka is listed among the 20 cities in the world most vulnerable to earthquakes, according to global disaster risk indices.

The last major earthquake in Bangladesh occurred in 1918, and since then, the country has experienced smaller tremors, including a 6.7 magnitude quake in 2016 that caused widespread panic and led to six deaths. 

For the last 75 years, Bangladesh has not had a large-scale earthquake, but experts say that could change soon. 

With so many smaller earthquakes recently, the chances of a major quake are growing.

Experts explain that Bangladesh lies at the intersection of three tectonic plates: the Indian plate, the Eurasian plate, and the Myanmar microplate.

These plates have not experienced significant seismic activity for hundreds of years, causing pressure to build up over time. 

This could result in an earthquake of 8 to 9 magnitude, which would be catastrophic. 

If such an earthquake occurs, millions of lives could be at risk, especially in Dhaka.

In a joint study by BUET (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology) and the government, experts found that a 7.5 magnitude earthquake could cause 72,000 buildings to collapse in Dhaka, resulting in massive amounts of rubble.

Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman, Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Dhaka University and a professor of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience, said, "If a 7-magnitude earthquake hits near the border areas, Bangladesh will face severe damage, particularly in cities like Mymensingh, Rangpur, Sylhet, Chittagong, and Dhaka. Dhaka, in particular, will suffer greatly because its buildings are mostly at risk."

Professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansari, a civil engineering professor at BUET, explained how the country’s position makes it vulnerable. 

“Bangladesh lies at the meeting point of three tectonic plates. The Indo-Australian plate to the south, the Eurasian plate to the north, and the Myanmar microplate to the east. These plates are connected and active, and they shift by about 5 centimeters every year,” he said.

He added, “While the Fire Service and Civil Defence do have equipment, it‍‍`s not enough. We need to focus on making buildings safer. Without proper maintenance, buildings will collapse, trapping people under rubble. The unplanned gas and electricity lines in Dhaka also make the situation worse. These lines increase the risk of fires and explosions during an earthquake.”

As Bangladesh continues to experience these tremors, experts are urging the government to take urgent action. 

The country must prepare its infrastructure, strengthen buildings, and take measures to minimize damage in the event of a major earthquake. 

The time to act is now, before it’s too late.