The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Chittagong and Sylhet cities are on the risk list of earthquake, as these two major cities are located in between Indian and Burmese tectonic plates.

Researchers of the Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) came up with this observation yesterday during a presentation at the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.

They also included Dhaka city in the risk list, an idea rejected by Petrobangla Chairman Dr. Hossain Monsur, also a former head of Dhaka University's Geology Department.

GSB Director ATM Asaduzzaman and GSB's Earthquake Research Cell Director Dr Khurshid Alam jointly made their presentation at the meeting.

The Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry organized the meeting to determine the doable actions to face any possible earthquake-related damages in the country.

In their presentation, the researchers claimed that Bangladesh has been in the middle of the Indian and Burmese tectonic plates, which carry some risk for the two major cities-Chittagong and Sylhet.

Referring to the 1897 earthquake that hit Bangladesh hard, the researchers said the Douky fault may affect the Sylhet and Mymensingh regions.

They said the magnitude of the 1897 earthquake was over 8 on the Richter scale and any possible future earthquake might be of 7 on the Richter scale.

They said Dhaka is also carrying some risk for the Madhupur fault, which is positioned very close to Dhaka.

Petrobangla Chairman Dr. Hossain Monsur disagreed with Dhaka's earthquake risk.

Referring to his own research findings with a Japanese team two years back, he said he did not find any existence of active Madhupur fault.

He, however, emphasized ensuring the compliance of the Building Code during civil construction in the country to contain the earthquake risk. "The Building Code must be strictly followed in any kind of building construction."

Fire Brigade Service Director General Brigadier Nayeem said his organisation has taken a programme to train up 62,000 urban volunteers who will instantly engage themselves in any natural disaster like earthquake.

State Minister for Power and Energy Brigadier Gen (retd) Enamul Haque, who presided over the meeting, said the government is fully prepared to deal with any natural disaster like earthquake.

He, however, urged all to remain aware about earthquake and not to get panicked.