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PF/6105/PPCC-37

PRESENT STATE OF EARTHQUAKE THREAT IN

BANGLADESH, MAJOR LACKING AREAS TO FACE
IT AND SUGGESTINVE MEASURES VIS-S-VIS
ARMYS ROLE

INTRODUCTION
1.

Earth quake is the most devastating catastrophe that the world has

experienced in the recent years. This sometimes brings more devastation causing
tsunami or similar natural adversity. Innumerable people lose their lives,
thousands become homeless, insurmountable sufferings make a country near
to a dead end. The recent earthquake occurred in Haiti, Chilli and China
replicates the unfathomable sufferings of the people and inexplicable destruction
of installations. Not only the affected country suffers, it also engulfs the other
nation states.

The economy confronts a depression on the eve of such

calamities. As a whole it commences a story of grief and sorrows coupled with

economic downturn.
2.

Bangladesh lies in the Burma basin, which was formed by the continent

continent collision of India to the north, and subduction of ocean crust beneath
the Burma continental crust to the east. Bangladesh is surrounded by regions of
high seismicity, which include the Himalayan Arc and Shillong Plateau in the
north, the Burmese Arc, Arakan Yoma anticlinorium in the east, and complex
Naga-Disang-Haflong thrust zone in the northeast. The country has a long
history of seismic activity related to its proximity to the Himalayas. Three great
earthquakes of magnitudes exceeding 8 were felt in 1897, 1934, and 1950, and
another four earthquakes exceeding magnitude 7 were felt between 1869 and
1950. Major seismic sources are the Meghalaya (8.0), Tripura (7.0), Sub-Dauki
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(7.3), and Bogra (7.0), all of them with associated earthquakes of expected
magnitudes higher or equal to 7.0. Therefore, this an un denying fact that
Bangladesh is prone to this devastating calamity. The effect of earthquake can be
reduced to optimum level only by adopting measures encompassing both pre
and post situation. Moreover, the densely populated cities like Dhaka or
Chittagong is bound to see the more dismal state once it will take place.
Unplanned constructions, unauthorized installations, over population and
gradual exodus of people from the villages have made the situation more
alarming. If any such earthquake takes place in our country of magnitude 7 and
above, it will not be possible for the government to confront that devastation.
Time is ripe now to focus and realize this aspect of post disaster situation and
take adequate actions right now. Only then we can reduce the loss of lives and
prevent the post earthquake situation.
3.

This paper will make an endeavour to highlight the present state of threat

of earthquake in our country and preparedness of Bangladesh. Besides the

major areas of lacking in facing such calamities will be brought out. Later few
suggestions will be forwarded encompassing both short and long term measures.
At last Armys role will be illustrated to bring to light some recommendations.

AIM
4.

The aim of this paper is to analyze the present state of threat and

preparedness of

Bangladesh

against earthquake, identify major areas of

lacking and suggest short and long term measures along with the role of
Bangladesh Army .

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PRESENT EARTHQUAKE THREAT FOR BANGLADESH

5.

Geographical Position.

Bangladesh is positioned in a technically

active area where earthquake could occur in the plate boundaries as 100 year
alarm bells have passed. Bangladesh is close to the meeting point of the Indian,
Eurasian and Myanmar plates. The movement of Indian and Eurasian plates has
been locked at the foot of the Himalayas for many years, storing strain energy.
When the lock is released, it will let out the strain energy causing major
earthquakes that will affect Bangladesh, northeast India and Myanmar. Three
strong earthquakes were recorded from the Indian-Eurasian plate, which jotted
Bangladesh within 150 years.
6.

Recent Observations.

The observatory at Bangladesh University

of Engineering and Technology(BUET) recorded

86 tremors of over four

magnitude during January 2006-May 2007 and July 2008, nine of them above
five on the Richter scale and epicentres of 95 percent being within a 600 km
radius of Dhaka city. It is these minor tremors that indicate the possibility of
much more powerful earthquakes hitting the country. According to a seismic
zoning map prepared by BUET, 43 percent areas in Bangladesh are rated high
risk, 41 percent moderate and 16 percent low. High risk group includes zones of
Chittagong, Dhaka, Rangpur, Bogra, Mymensing, Comilla, Rajshahi and Sylhet.
Dhaka is the riskiest city amongst the top 20 cities of the world according to the
Earthquake Disaster Risk Index (EDRI). A catastrophic earthquake may cause
heavy casualties and destruction of properties in our densely populated capital
city because of lack of awareness and necessary preparations.
7.

...................

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PREPAREDNESS OF BANGLADESH TO FIGHT AGAINST

EARTHQUAKE
8.

To be honest the preparedness to face a major earthquake in Bangladesh is

very poor. This is because of lack of coordination among various agencies like
ministry of Finance, Health, Food and Disaster management, housing and
NGOs. Moreover there is no awareness among the people on how to face such
calamities. Lack of support facilities like improved fire brigade and civil defence
activities, establishment of multidisciplinary hospital to accommodate large
number of earthquake victims, physical and mental support, communication by
ambulances, transport vehicle, adequate number of drilling equipment,
bulldozers. So, it is obvious that if a major earthquake hits Bangladesh it will
create havoc and damage in terms of life and properties that is unimaginable.
9.

The threat of earthquake is a matter of great concern to Bangladesh, and

repeated tremors in different areas may be warnings for a severe one, as per
opinion of the experts in this field. But the worrying aspect is that the people's
preparedness and awareness to face a fatal earthquake seem to be almost zero.
What has so far been done is preparation of a map dividing the country into
three seismic zones. Natural calamities like cyclone, flood, tornado, tidal bore,
drought and downpour are more or less known to the people of our country. But
an earthquake is quite different from other natural calamities because any kind
of forecasting or prediction is impossible. So it is urgently necessary to prepare
the people of our country adequately to face a catastrophe like an earthquake.
The government has taken up a five-year project, titled "Comprehensive
Disaster Management Project," to reduce the risks of natural calamities, with
special focus on creating awareness about earthquakes. But nothing noteworthy
has happened so far.

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MAJOR LACKING AREAS

10.

.....................

11.

.....................

SUGGESTED MEASURES TO IMPROVE OUR

CAPABILITIES
12.

We shall face great challenge to adequately manage a major earthquake

which may happen anytime in Bangladesh. To minimize the sufferings of people

and properties we should give due importance on improving our capabilities to
fight against it. Following measures can be taken to improve our capability:
a.

Immediate Or Short Term Measures.

1)
2)

b.

Long Term Measures.

1)
2)

ROLE OF BANGLADESH ARMY

13.

Bangladesh Armed Forces Division (AFD) played a significant role in all

past disaster management in the light of the tasks assigned in the Standing
Order on Disaster, 1999 circulated by Ministry of Food and Disaster
Management. Recently, Bangladesh Armed Forces, in consonance with the
national initiative, chalked out a contingency plan for Dhaka city (Rasul, 2003).
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According to the AFDs contingency plan, the city is divided into eight sectors
with predefined tasks after an earthquake. AFD will also activate Disaster
Management and Relief Monitoring Cell at Prime Ministers Office after an
earthquake.
14.

CONCLUSION
15.

...........................

16.

...........................

17.

...........................

RECOMMENDATION
18.

..

19.

20.

Bangladesh Military Academy

MD AHSANUL HAQUE BHUIYAN

April 2010

Major
Student Officer

Distribution:
Directing Staff
Potential Platoon Commander Course-37
Bangladesh Military Academy
Bhatiary, Chittagong

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SYNOPSIS

PRESENT STATE OF EARTHQUAKE THREAT IN

BANGLADESH, MAJOR LACKING AREAS TO FACE
IT AND SUGGESTINVE MEASURES VIS-S-VIS
ARMYS ROLE

Maj Md Ahsanul Haque Bhuiyan

PPCC-37
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