Dhaka:Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to undertake comprehensive preparations to address potential earthquake risks, identify vulnerable structures, and bolster emergency rescue capabilities.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister issued these directives during a meeting on earthquake preparedness and response at the Prime Minister's Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat. PM's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu provided details of the meeting, highlighting the Prime Minister's focus on a coordinated action plan to ensure public safety in Dhaka and other earthquake-prone areas across the country.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of identifying vulnerable and old buildings, ensuring compliance with the National Building Code, and enhancing the capacity for swift rescue operations during emergencies. Effective coordination among various ministries, local government bodies, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), Fire Service, and other emergency response agencies was deemed crucial to minimizing casualties and damage from natural disasters like earthquakes.
Additionally, the Prime Minister stressed the need to ensure the safety of critical facilities such as hospitals and educational institutions, maintain adequate rescue equipment, provide training to rescuers, and raise public awareness about earthquakes. The meeting was attended by Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, RAJUK Chairman Engineer Riazul Islam Riju, and senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies.