Bangladesh can significantly reduce casualties and destruction from a major earthquake if the country strengthens preparedness, enforces building codes, and adopts modern seismic technology without delay, experts said at a seminar in Dhaka on Saturday.
Speaking at the “Earthquake Awareness, Safety Protocols & Emergency Preparedness” seminar organized by JCX Developments Ltd at a city hotel, specialists warned that rapid urbanization, dense population, weak building structures, and poor compliance with construction standards leave Bangladesh highly vulnerable to a major quake.
JCX Managing Director Md Iqbal Hossain Chowdhury said recent tremors in Dhaka highlight the urgency.
“Time is very short; we must take decisive action now,” he said, adding that JCX prioritizes earthquake-resistant design under its “Safety First” philosophy.
Japanese seismic experts Keiichiro Sako and Hisaya Sugiyama shared insights on Japan’s earthquake-resilient construction practices, stressing strict code enforcement and public preparedness.
Bangladeshi experts from BUET, Rajuk, REHAB, Bajus, and other organizations called for strict implementation of building codes, structural audits, retrofitting, digitized approvals, and mandatory earthquake drills. They emphasized deploying new seismic stations, GIS- and AI-based risk modeling, and modern equipment for rescue agencies.
Speakers noted that Bangladesh sits on three active tectonic plates and lies near major fault lines, including the Dauki and Chittagong–Arakan faults, making it one of the world’s highest-risk zones.
They agreed that coordinated action between the government, private sector, and international partners could reduce potential earthquake losses by up to 50%.
