Dear Sir
A recent earthquake felt in Dhaka and various parts of the country has once again highlighted the importance of earthquake preparedness. At 1:23 am, residents were jolted awake by the tremor, causing panic and concern. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake, which originated in Wazin, Manipur, India, measured 5.1 on the Richter scale and had a depth of 106 kilometres. Neighbouring Myanmar also experienced the tremor.
Although the earthquake did not result in significant damage or casualties, it serves as a stark reminder of Bangladesh's vulnerability to seismic activity. The country's location near tectonic plate boundaries places it at risk of experiencing earthquakes of greater magnitudes in the future. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive disaster preparedness measures.
Authorities must prioritize creating awareness among citizens about how to respond during an earthquake. Building codes must be strictly enforced to ensure that structures are resilient to seismic activity. Emergency response systems and evacuation plans should be regularly reviewed and practiced.
Natural disasters are unpredictable, but with proactive measures, their impacts can be minimized. This recent tremor should serve as a wake-up call for both policymakers and citizens to take earthquake preparedness seriously and invest in long-term resilience strategies.
Mamun Mollah
By E-mail