Earthquake in Bangladesh: a natural disaster and public awareness

The nature and the distribution of the earthquake events in different seismic zones of the country are intrinsically related to various tectonic elements. The increased frequency of earthquake events in Bangladesh in the last 30 years suggests reviving tectonic activity. In case of severe earthquake and increased probability of earthquakes the risk on the loss of life and damage to the property in Bangladesh will be quite high. Four severest risk zones in the country are inferred those include northern part of Dinajpur, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Tangail, northern part of Dhaka, Khulna, Jessor, Kushtia, and Chittagong. Considering the devastating impact of such impending earthquake on land and society and the lack of adequate infrastructures for earthquake studies, the installation of network of high-sensitivity modern seismographs with all components is immediately needed. Valid predictions of earthquakes can thus be made and warnings are issued in order to minimize loss of lives and damage to properties. Emphasis is given to the needs for undertaking public awareness programmes through physical planning of human settlements, following the building codes, and implementing the management techniques of settlements for both pre-disaster preparedness and post-disaster management.