We should be prepared for earthquake

We are horrified over the death of more than 5,000 people in the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in the early hours of Monday, which is already known to have been one of the worst deadly in decades. However, the full scale of the catastrophe is still emerging.
Experts are of the view that a 7.8 magnitude tremor is extremely powerful, and all the more damaging when it is followed by a second shock within a few hours almost of the similar 7.5 on the Richter scale. In fact, that happened in the case of early Monday’s quake in southeastern Turkey and northwestern Syria.
In the meantime, many countries and international organisations have come forward to assist rescue efforts in Turkey and Syria after earthquakes and aftershocks in both the countries. They include the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Russia, Ukraine and many other countries. The international bodies include the United Nations, the European Union, NATO and the Red Crescent.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), up to 23 million people could be affected by the earthquake which has killed more than 5,000 people in Turkey and Syria. However, WHO apprehends that the death toll could climb up to 20,000.
Media reports say Turkey often faces such challenges. But it overcome with trained and experienced rescue workers, due to its history of quakes, and support from 45 countries. But rescue and relief efforts will prove far harder on the Syrian side. They are in desperate need of search-and-rescue equipment to save people from rubble. Though conflict in Syria has faded from international attention, the complex regional struggle continues to claim lives in the north and there are fears it could escalate.
Bitter winter storms have worsened the plight of survivors. Among the victims will be some 4 million Syrians who fled the war; many have been living in southern Turkey, often in overcrowded conditions. More remain in northern Syria, where war has crushed homes and essential infrastructure. Millions have taken refuge in rebel-held Idlib, where most of them are dependent on aid.
In the wake of this tragic incident, experts have stressed the need for identifying all buildings of Dhaka city to assess vulnerability and make those resilient. Constructing buildings without following the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC) and not running maintenance according to the code make the structures most vulnerable to heavy earthquakes. Buildings also constructed on land-filled wetlands without piling being done properly to make the soil compact are also at risk of earthquake damage.
According to the Comprehensive Disaster Management Plan (CDMP), there are five major fault zones — Madhupur Fault, Dauki Fault, Plate Boundary Fault-1, Plate Boundary Fault-2 and Plate Boundary Fault-3 — in the country from where 7 to 8.5 magnitude earthquakes could be generated. If an earthquake measuring even 7 on the Richter scale generates from there, many buildings of Dhaka will be damaged. But are we prepared for that?
It is high time that we should consider violation of building codes a criminal offence, and take appropriate action not only against the errant owners and construction companies, but also against corrupt and negligent Rajuk officials.