Staff Reporter :
A recent study conducted by the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) has sent shockwaves through Dhaka, revealing that 65 percent of the city’s buildings could collapse in the event of a 6.9 magnitude earthquake striking along the Madhupur fault in Tangail.
According to the study, a devastating earthquake of this magnitude could result in the distortion of 864,619 to 1,391,685 buildings in Dhaka, accounting for 40.28 percent to 64.83 percent of the total buildings in the area.
The findings, presented by RAJUK’s Chief Engineer and Project Director Abdul Latif Helaly, highlight the staggering vulnerability of the city’s infrastructure to seismic activity.
Of the 2,147,219 buildings surveyed in Dhaka, 42 structures deemed to be at high risk have been recommended for complete demolition. Additionally, the study warns of further devastation if a 7.1 magnitude earthquake were to occur along the Sylhet lineament, potentially damaging 40,935 to 314,742 buildings.
Helaly’s sobering assessment extends to human casualties, estimating that between 2.1 to 5 lakh lives could be lost depending on the time of day an earthquake strikes. The grim prospect of such catastrophic loss underscores the urgent need for preparedness and mitigation measures.
Addressing the findings, Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman said, “The government is committed to sustainable infrastructure and earthquake resilience.” Rahman stressed the importance of identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before disaster strikes, underscoring the crucial role of local and foreign experts in this endeavor.
Housing and Public Works Minister RAM Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury echoed Rahman’s sentiments, calling for coordinated efforts to mitigate earthquake risks. Chowdhury emphasized the need for public awareness initiatives to educate citizens about earthquake-related hazards and urged proactive measures to strengthen infrastructure resilience.
The RAJUK report further predicts an economic loss of approximately US $25 billion, with additional expenditures of $44 billion required for the renovation and reconstruction of damaged buildings.