Afghanistan earthquake death toll exceeds 1,500

Afghanistan is a South Asian country.

The country is prone to earthquakes. It lies on multiple fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Although the earthquake, a 6.3 magnitude, was moderate, it was devastating because its epicenter was shallow, only 10 kilometers or six miles deep.

According to the Taliban government, about 4,000 people were killed, although the United Nations puts the death toll at 1,500.The deadly earthquake struck Afghanistan on Sunday. The death toll is feared to rise. The earthquake has caused widespread devastation and loss of life, sending shockwaves around the world.

As reported, many people have died, scores of have been injured, and thousands of families have been left homeless after mud and wooden houses collapsed. At this moment of humanitarian disaster, it is the moral humanitarian and global responsibility to stand by the affected people of the country.

Meanwhile, the international community has taken steps to stand by the country. The United Nations mission in Afghanistan is preparing to provide assistance to the affected people. The earthquake in Afghanistan is also a big warning for Bangladesh.

It (Bangladesh) is at risk of earthquakes due to its geographical location. Several mild and moderate earthquakes have increased the level of this risk. It is feared that a major earthquake could hit Bangladesh at any time. Therefore, experts have asked to prepare now to avoid widespread damage.

Bangladesh cannot afford to be indifferent to earthquakes. We have already witnessed in different parts of the world the terrible disasters that unpreparedness can cause. According to a report by the Earth Observatory Center, Bangladesh is located at the junction of three plates: Indian, Eurasian, and Myanmar. As a result, a major earthquake can strike here at any time. So, now is the time to take necessary measures.

According to the Meteorological Department, Sylhet, Mymensingh and parts of Rangpur, Dhaka, Cumilla and the Chittagong Hill Tracts are at high risk of earthquakes. Of these, four districts of Sylhet division are at risk of major earthquakes.

The soil structure in city’s Old Dhaka that has expanded in the last few decades is weak. A large part of these areas is built on flooded wetlands. There is a risk of major loss of life and property in these areas in an earthquake of magnitude 7 or higher on the Richter scale.

The immediate steps that must be taken include widespread public awareness raising, regular earthquake drills, disaster education for children, volunteer training, and coordinating rescue operations between government and non-government organizations.