Dhaka’s 5.7 quake warrants immediate check of its 2.1mn buildings: BUET’s Ansary

The 5.7 magnitude earthquake that rattled Bangladesh on Friday should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to brace for an even stronger quake in future, says Mehedi Ahmed Ansary, who teaches civil engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).

“Buildings need to be checked right away. Dhaka’s buildings, in particular, need immediate attention,” he said, drawing attention to potential damage that a powerful earthquake could unleash in the densely populated capital, where building codes are often ignored in construction.

“The government need not spend money in implementing this. RAJUK will certify which buildings followed construction codes,” he said.

A 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh at 10:38am on Friday. The quake, which lasted for 26 seconds originated at Madhabdi in Narshingdi. Panic gripped the entirety of Bangladesh, which has not registered a quake of this power in living memory, following the jolt.

People streamed out onto the streets, many waking from their sleep on the weekend morning. Many came down in sleeping clothes, without shoes, and, in some cases, without their cell phones.

Reports of buildings tilting and developing cracks have come in from all over Bangladesh.