Earthquake preparedness needs to be a priority

The powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.8 originating in Myanmar on Wednesday, and felt throughout Bangladesh, needs to be a wake-up call for all of us. While it is a relief that there were no casualties reported in this particular quake, grim reports of an earthquake that flattened a town in central Italy, killing nearly 250 people remind us of our own vulnerability in the face of future disasters. A recent study published in the science journal Nature showed that Bangladesh could be sitting on top of an active megathrust fault. If ruptured, the resulting earthquake could be of magnitude 8.2 to 9.0. The effects on Bangladesh of such an earthquake would be nothing if not catastrophic. The 2011 Japan earthquake of magnitude 9.0 was caused by the same type of geologic feature. To worsen the problem, there is no way to tell for sure when the earthquake may hit us. Given this uncertainly, it is imperative that the government starts preparing for disaster without any delay. Although our flood relief infrastructure has come a long way, we are still woefully inadequate when it comes to earthquake preparation. Rescue agencies have been suffering from crises of funding, and because of that, volunteers have not received the necessary training. But there can be no cutting corners when it comes to earthquake safety. The nation must be prepared on all fronts. We need to make sure that relief can reach people trapped under debris on time in case of the unthinkable. Furthermore, stringent codes for buildings and new constructions must be enforced. Builders, property developers, and the government need to work together to ensure damage is minimised in the event of an earthquake. Let us not wait for the next major earthquake to hit. Let us prepare now.