Earthquake wave shakes nation
Staff Reporter :
The recent series of mild to moderate earthquake across the country has been triggering alarms among residents especially the concrete capital and port city.
The country has so far experienced 10 earthquakes in just 27 days, with tremors felt across various parts of the country, including the capital, Dhaka.
The latest tremor struck on February 27, at 1:52 pm just after the Jummah prayers, measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale.
The earthquake’s epicenter was in the Ashashuni upazila of Satkhira, located about 188 km southwest of Dhaka’s seismic centre. The tremors were felt in Dhaka and surrounding areas, causing panic among the public.
Locals of Satkhira said that the ground trembled for several seconds, causing panic among residents. Worshippers at mosques during mid-Jummah prayers were startled, while families rushed in a frenzy to evacuate their homes, descending staircases in haste.
Local residents, visibly shaken, described the tremor as the strongest they could remember.
The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 5.4 on the Richter scale, had its epicenter near Assasuni Upazila, approximately 18 km southeast of Satkhira town, according to the local weather office.
Zulfikar Ali, the acting officer at Satkhira’s weather office, confirmed the epicenter’s location in Assasuni.
People who were praying at Bodata Central Jaame Mosque described the experience, saying, “It felt as though everything was turning upside down.”
Earlier, on February 26, a lighter earthquake of magnitude 4.6 hit Bangladesh at 12:04pm.
The epicenter was located in the Sikkim region of India, approximately 455 km northwest of Dhaka.
The tremors were felt throughout the country, further contributing to growing anxiety about the frequency of seismic events.
The month also saw a powerful tremor on February 25, which measured 5.1 on the Richter scale.
This earthquake originated in Myanmar, roughly 462 km east of Dhaka. The tremor was felt in several regions, including the capital, Dhaka, and neighbouring districts.
The first tremor of February occurred on the 1st, measuring a mild 3.0 magnitude near Sylhet, located to the east of Dhaka. This marked the beginning of a series of tremors that have left the nation on edge.
On February 3, two consecutive quakes with magnitudes of 5.9 and 5.2 rattled the country. The epicentre was in Myanmar, with the tremors spreading across Bangladesh.
That same day, a 4.1 magnitude earthquake also struck in the Kalora area of Satkhira, further compounding concerns about seismic activity in the region.
On February 9 and 10, people also felt two milder tremors, measuring 3.3 and 4.0 magnitudes, in the Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet. On February 19, another 4.1 magnitude quake hit Sunamganj’s Sadar upazila.
Notably, the 21st and 22nd of February saw a series of moderate tremors with the epicenter located in the Narsingdi region.
The earthquake of magnitude 5.7 that struck on November 21, 2025, is the most significant recent quake and the most destructive in recent memory.
Earlier, in November last year, at least 10 people were killed and more than 600 people were injured when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit the area and its frequency was also felt across the country.
During the quake, several buildings were left with cracks, some of which were severely damaged. The government immediately called for heightened awareness and urged citizens not to panic.
Experts emphasised the need for improved building safety protocols, especially in Dhaka, where over 2.1 million high-risk buildings are located.
Experts are increasingly concerned about the potential for a larger earthquake, as the region remains highly vulnerable due to its position in a seismically active zone.
Geologists said that the frequency of these quakes could signal the possibility of a more significant earthquake in the near future.
As a result, there have been calls for stricter building regulations, increased public awareness, and enhanced preparedness measures to mitigate the risk of catastrophic damage.
While it is still unclear whether the ongoing smaller tremors are prelude to a major earthquake, authorities continue to monitor the situation and advise the public to stay vigilant.
The government has urged citizens to remain calm and to follow safety protocols, especially in the event of aftershocks or larger earthquakes.
In light of these frequent tremors, safety experts have reiterated the importance of ensuring that all new buildings and infrastructure projects are designed to withstand earthquakes, particularly in areas with high seismic risks such as Dhaka and other urban centres.
Many buildings in Dhaka, which are old and not constructed with earthquake-resistant measures, are highly vulnerable to tremors.
Seismologists continue to study the region’s fault lines, while government officials are working on improving public awareness campaigns and safety measures to ensure that the population is well-equipped to respond to future quakes.
The public is encouraged to remain calm, stay informed, and be ready to act in case of a major earthquake.
