Experts warn of possible magnitude-9 earthquake, urge urgent action

Experts from country and abroad have urged immediate action to avert a humanitarian disaster in the event of a powerful earthquake in Bangladesh. They made the call at a seminar titled “Earthquake Awareness, Safety Protocols and Emergency Preparedness” held on Saturday at Hotel Westin in the capital. The event was organised by JCX Developments Ltd.

According to the experts, timely preparedness, public awareness and the use of modern technology can significantly reduce casualties and damage during a major quake. They warned that Bangladesh faces a high earthquake risk and delaying decisions could lead to catastrophic consequences.

In his welcome speech, JCX Developments Ltd Managing Director Md Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury said the recent tremors felt in Dhaka highlight the country’s vulnerability. He noted that rapid urbanisation, population density and weak building structures could lead to severe devastation in the event of a strong quake. He emphasised that awareness, preparedness and enhanced capacity are now essential.

He added that the state, the housing sector and the public together must strengthen their roles to mitigate earthquake risks. He said JCX is working with local and international experts on earthquake-resilient construction and prioritises a safety-first approach.

Speakers included eminent engineer Professor Dr M Shamim Z Bosunia, Professor Dr Syed Fakrul Amin of BUET, REHAB President Wahiduzzaman, Senior Vice President Liakat Ali, RAJUK Chief Urban Planner Ashraful Islam, Engineer Abdullah Al Hossain Chowdhury Rizvi, Professor Dr Rakib Ahsan of BUET, BAJUS President Enamul Haque Khan, BMID Director Mominul Islam, architects Ariful Islam and Rafiq Azam, and Vistara Managing Director Mustafa Khalid Palash.

Two Japanese experts on earthquake-resistant architecture also attended, sharing insights from Japan’s post-quake experiences, safe infrastructure design and sustainable construction standards.

Speakers stressed the importance of constructing earthquake-resistant buildings, conducting structural audits of existing structures, ensuring strict quality monitoring, improving emergency rescue capacity and establishing an effective early-warning system. They also emphasised public drills, awareness campaigns and family-level preparedness.

Participants—comprising national and international experts, architects, engineers, real estate developers, policymakers and representatives from public and private sectors—said coordinated initiatives from all levels are essential to build an earthquake-resilient Bangladesh.

Experts recommended urgent measures including strict enforcement of the building code, digitalised approval processes, retrofitting old buildings, installation of at least 50 modern seismic stations, GIS and AI-based risk modelling, equipping rescue forces with advanced tools, mandatory drills in schools, colleges and offices, soil testing, quality materials and transparency in the real estate sector.

They noted that Japan has successfully reduced earthquake damage by strictly following regulations, and Bangladesh could reduce losses by up to 50 percent if similar measures are adopted.

Experts further said Bangladesh lies at the junction of three active tectonic plates, the Indian, Myanmar and Eurasian plates. The Dawki Fault in Sylhet, the Chittagong–Arakan Fault in Chattogram–Teknaf and the Sagaing Fault in Myanmar place the country at very high seismic risk. Rapid urbanisation, dense settlements, poor compliance with building codes and narrow roads add to the vulnerability.