4.9 quake jolts again

Staff Reporter :

A moderate earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale jolted parts of Bangladesh shortly before 1am on Tuesday, with noticeable tremors reported across Chattogram and neighbouring districts.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicentre was located 81 kilometres east of Falam in Myanmar, a region known for frequent tectonic movement. No casualties or major damage have been reported so far.

Residents in Chattogram city, Rangamati, Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar said they felt beds shake and windows rattle for several seconds. Many briefly rushed out of their homes in confusion before the tremor subsided.

Tuesday’s earthquake comes amid growing concerns over Bangladesh’s seismic vulnerability. The country has experienced multiple moderate tremors in recent months, including a 5.0-magnitude quake in October that originated near the Indo-Myanmar border, and a series of low-intensity aftershocks felt across the Chattogram Hill Tracts throughout November. Seismologists have repeatedly warned that Bangladesh sits near several active fault lines, including the Dauki Fault in the north and the Arakan Megathrust to the east — the latter capable of generating powerful earthquakes originating in Myanmar’s Chin and Rakhine states. The region around Falam, where Tuesday’s quake originated, is part of this highly active tectonic zone.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has also documented an uptick in tremor frequency since mid-2024, prompting calls from experts for stricter enforcement of building codes and improved preparedness in densely populated cities such as Chattogram and Dhaka.
Authorities monitoring situation
Disaster management officials said they are assessing the situation and have not received reports of injuries or structural damage. Chattogram district authorities have directed local firefighting units and volunteers to remain on standby as a precaution.

“Although this was a moderate tremor, the repeated seismic activity in recent months is a reminder that Bangladesh must remain vigilant,” said a senior official at the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry.

Experts say Tuesday’s quake, while relatively mild, reinforces long-standing concerns about Bangladesh’s exposure to major regional fault lines — and the need for stronger risk reduction measures in the country’s rapidly expanding urban centres.