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.
“Particularly Chattogram, Sylhet, Mymensign and Dhaka regions are purview of higher risk (of earthquakes),” read the fire service and civil defence directorate statement issued against the backdrop of the tremor of magnitude 7.7 centred in the Sagaing region near the Myanmar city of Mandalay.
The state-run recue operator simultaneously issued a nine-point directorate to be followed as precautionary measures to minimize damage to be caused by possible quakes with the first one calling for construction of earthquake-resistant buildings in line with Bangladesh National Building Code 2020.
The fire service simultaneously emphasised the need to strengthen or retrofit vulnerable and ageing structures, intensify fire prevention systems at every high rise and commercial structures and ensure safety measures related to water, gas and power line connection systems.
The fifth point of the directives urged people at individual and institutional levels to stage regular drills and exercise to be carried out during the 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 go through volunteer training to play an active role during disasters.
It advised all residents 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.
Source: BSS
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
