Major Earthquake Threat Looms over Madhupur Fault; Tangail and Dhaka at High Risk

Mustafa Kamal Nannu, Tangail

Bangladesh remains one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world, and among its vulnerable regions, Tangail’s Madhupur area stands out as a major danger zone. Geologists warn that the Madhupur Fault, one of the most active and hazardous fault lines in the country, is capable of triggering a high-magnitude earthquake at any time—posing grave risks for Tangail, Madhupur, and even the capital Dhaka.

Over the last two decades, Madhupur—widely known as the ‘Pineapple Capital’—has witnessed rapid population growth and a surge in multi-storied buildings. However, a significant number of these structures were reportedly built without adherence to the Bangladesh National Building Code (BNBC), greatly increasing the likelihood of building collapse and large-scale casualties should a powerful earthquake strike.

Visible Signs of Vulnerability

Locals say that a moderate earthquake felt five to six years ago caused 50 to 100 meters of cracks across roads and hillocks in at least three villages, including Idilpur. The incident sparked widespread panic, yet most residents are still unaware of basic earthquake preparedness.

“We have never received any training on what to do during an earthquake,”
said Zainal Abedin, a resident of Madhupur municipality.
“If a major quake hits, we will have no idea how to survive.”

Another resident added,
“We have heard of the fault line, but no one informed us about the real level of danger.”

Dhaka Also at Risk

Experts fear that the old and fragile buildings of Dhaka and Madhupur are unlikely to withstand a major tremor. If the epicenter is located near Madhupur, the capital—crowded, unplanned, and structurally weak—may face severe devastation.

Lack of Preparedness

Madhupur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Jubayer Hossain acknowledged,
“We do not have any dedicated project for earthquake training or awareness. Without specific initiatives, it is difficult to run large-scale public awareness campaigns. However, preparedness and awareness are crucial for tackling any disaster.”

The Urgent Call

Earthquakes cannot be prevented, but losses can be minimized. Experts strongly recommend immediate measures—mass awareness, training, mock drills, improved emergency response capacity, and the construction of earthquake-resilient infrastructure.
Without such steps, the Madhupur Fault could turn into one of the country’s most catastrophic disaster zones.