A total of seven earthquakes have been felt in Bangladesh in the past week, and five in the capital Dhaka. Of these, four earthquakes occurred in Dhaka and its surroundings within 31 hours on November 21 and the following Saturday. Three earthquakes were felt within 13 hours from the night of November 26 to the afternoon of November 27. One of them was felt in Dhaka.
Earthquake experts told The Bangladesh Pratidin that there is no need for panic at the moment, but caution. Since there has been no major earthquake in the country for a long time, a huge amount of energy has accumulated in the ground. This accumulation is a big 'threat'.
They also say that although the 5.7 magnitude earthquake on November 21 was moderate in terms of energy, it was strong. And after a strong earthquake, there may be 'aftershocks' like small earthquakes for one to several weeks. However, the risk of a major earthquake cannot be ruled out at this time. Therefore, earthquake experts have advised the countrymen to be fully prepared to deal with earthquakes.
Experts said that city dwellers should not go outside in case of an earthquake, but should take shelter in a safe place within a few steps. A natural disaster awareness game can be created through open competition as a quick initiative to fulfill the responsibilities of various earthquake warnings and post-earthquake measures. Ward-wise high and medium risk buildings should be identified. Buildings that can be retrofitted should be done.
Earthquake expert professor Dr. Syed Humayun Akhtar, “Most of the earthquakes that have occurred in a span of a week have originated from the same location. The earthquakes of November 21 and 22 and November 27 occurred in the same area at a distance of 5 to 10 kilometers. The recent earthquakes in the country are sending a message that a huge amount of energy is stored in this subtraction zone. We have measured the energy of an earthquake of magnitude 8.2 to 9. This energy will be released today or in the next 50 to 100 years. The longer it is delayed, the more terrible the earthquake will be.”
This expert also said that on November 21, two plates were unlocked in Narsingdi and a little energy was released. However, what was released was not even 1 percent of the total energy.
Mehedi Ahmed Ansari, a professor and earthquake expert at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), told The Bangladesh Pratidin on Thursday, “The earthquakes that occurred after the 5.7 magnitude earthquake on November 21 are all 'aftershocks'. However, we must be prepared to deal with earthquakes.”
(Translated by Lutful Hoque)
