Tk 10,350 crore for disaster management to tackle earthquakes

The government has announced initiatives to strengthen institutional capacity and procure modern rescue equipment to minimise damage and protect lives and property during earthquakes. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury made the announcement while presenting the national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year in parliament on Thursday, June 11.

He said a proposal has been made to allocate Tk 10,350 crore to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief for the coming fiscal year, up from the revised allocation of Tk 9,069 crore in the current 2025-26 fiscal year.

Land has already been acquired for the establishment of a National Emergency Operation Centre, and a construction project is underway to ensure central coordination during major disasters. Modern rescue equipment and 11 aerial platform ladders have been procured at a cost of approximately Tk 521 crore to deal with earthquakes and other disasters. Radio communication for cyclone preparedness has been fully ensured, and an online database of 78,100 volunteers has been created.

The finance minister also noted that weather forecasts are now available instantly by dialling the toll-free number 1090 from anywhere in the country. Disaster forecasting capabilities are being strengthened with the help of satellite technology, and plans have been made to use modern satellite technology to monitor river erosion. Warning messages are being sent to the grassroots level via SMS, and regular preparedness drills on earthquakes, cyclones and fires are being organised as part of awareness programmes.