Dhaka: Bangladesh is exposed to high risk of major earthquakes with southeastern Chattogram, northeastern Sylhet, Mymensingh in centre-north and central region comprising greater Dhaka being higher tremor danger while a severe tremor ravaged neighbouring Myanmar and shook Thailand, the fire service said in a statement.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the fire service and civil defence directorate emphasized that ‘particularly Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and Dhaka regions are purview of higher risk (of earthquakes)’. The statement was issued following a magnitude 7.7 tremor centered in the Sagaing region near the Myanmar city of Mandalay.
The state-run rescue operator simultaneously issued a nine-point directive to be followed as precautionary measures to minimize damage from potential earthquakes. The first directive calls for the construction of earthquake-resistant buildings in accordance with the Bangladesh National Building Code 2020.
The fire service also stressed the need to strengthen or retrofit vulnerable and ageing structures, intensify fire prevention systems at every high-rise and commercial structure, and ensure safety measures related to water, gas, and power line connection systems.
The fifth point of the directives urged individuals and institutions to conduct regular drills and exercises to be prepared for actual earthquakes.
It advised that emergency contact numbers, including those of the fire service, ambulance, police, and hospitals, be clearly displayed at homes and workplaces.
The fire service called upon people to undergo volunteer training to play an active role during disasters.
Residents were advised to store essential emergency supplies, including torches, radios with extra batteries, whistles, hammers, helmets or cushions, dry food, clean water, medicines, first-aid kits, and baby care items, in a designated area at home.
The fire service called for collective efforts to strengthen earthquake preparedness and urged people to report any emergencies to its media cell at 01722856867, hotline 102, or through its official website.
According to the Earthquake Disaster Risk Index, Dhaka tops the list of the 20 most vulnerable cities globally.
Two powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.7 and 6.4 on the Richter scale, hit various regions of Myanmar and Thailand yesterday, causing significant damage.