Experts stress architect-engineer coordination for earthquake safety

Experts said the recent tremors felt across the country are a warning and Bangladesh must strengthen its preparedness before a major quake strikes.

Their remarks came at a seminar held at a Dhaka hotel on Saturday, where engineers, planners and responders gathered to discuss growing risks. The event was organised by JCX Developments Ltd.

Abdullah Al Hossain Chowdhury (Rizvi), an engineer, said, “The standard of structural engineering in our country has improved a lot and is moving toward further progress. But the weak point is sub-soil investigation. Wrong sub-soil investigation leads to wrong foundations in many cases and this is the most dangerous factor during an earthquake.”

Architects and engineers must work in proper coordination because both architectural beauty and structural safety matter, he added.

Hisaya Sugiyama, principal of Veritas Japan LLC said Japan faces less panic because preparedness is part of daily life through building checks, grants, tax incentives and community drills.

Fire Service and Civil Defence Director (Planning, Training and Development) Lt Col MA Azad Anwar said they now have about 55,000 trained volunteers and are forming special rescue teams.

He also said they are working to decentralise all response systems and keeping contact with organisations that own construction equipment so those machines can be used during emergencies.

Momenul Islam, director of Bangladesh Meteorological Department, said, "We have 13 modern monitoring systems that can detect global earthquakes within minutes. We hope to upgrade the system to track micro tremors."

Ashraful Islam, chief town planner, RAJUK said awareness programmes in schools and colleges can help reduce fear and create long-term preparedness.

Mostofa Khalid Palash; an architect, said "The country’s formation on river sediment makes it naturally earthquake-prone. There is no alternative to awareness if we want to survive an earthquake.”

Prof Syed Fakhrul Ameen, a BUET faculty, said a recent visit to Palash in Narsingdi showed weak school buildings, proving a lack of awareness in construction.

Former BUET professor M Shamim Z Bosunia said gas pipelines must also be considered because leaks can cause fires after a quake.

Speakers said earthquakes cannot be prevented but proper engineering and planning can reduce losses.

JCX Managing Director Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury said, “This seminar is to create a meaningful platform for knowledge sharing, to understand the hazzard we'll face and to learn global expertise. To discuss potential strategy we can protect our life amd national assets. We can’t negotiate with earthquake, but science and proper plan can decide the outcome.”

Speakers said rapid urbanisation, high population density and unplanned structures increase Bangladesh’s risk of heavy damage.

They called for stronger building codes, early warning systems, trained manpower and community-based action.

Representatives from the Department of Environment, RAJUK, IEB, IAB, Fire Service, BUP, MIST, Bashundhara Group, Jolshiri, REHAB and other government and private organisations also attended the seminar.

At the end of the event, JCX pledged to continue its earthquake awareness activities.