Bangladesh’s Deadliest Quakes: A Look at the Most Devastating Earthquakes in the Country’s Past

A powerful earthquake struck Bangladesh on Friday, has ignited concern about the country’s long-standing seismic vulnerabilities. While modern Bangladesh has not often experienced catastrophic quakes, its centuries-old history reveals a pattern of major earthquakes, some of which caused widespread damage, loss of life, and long-term geological change.

Understanding this history is critical, especially as the memory of recent tremors brings fresh urgency to earthquake preparedness.

Why Bangladesh Is Seismically Vulnerable

Bangladesh may not immediately come to mind when people think of earthquake-prone countries. Yet, it lies in a tectonically active zone, with fault lines such as the Madhupur fault, that pose a constant risk. Experts have long warned that a powerful earthquake could inflict serious damage, particularly in densely populated areas across the country.

The most recent quake of 5.7 magnitude in Dhaka has prompted many to revisit historical records, reminding Bangladeshis and the world that seismic threats are not just theoretical.

A Journey Through Bangladesh’s Most Devastating Earthquakes

Here are some of the most significant earthquakes in what is now Bangladesh, based on historical documents and geological research.

1548 – The First Recorded Major Earthquake

The earliest documented major tremor in the territory of present-day Bangladesh goes back to 1548. According to historical record, cracks opened in the ground in regions that are now Chattogram and Sylhet. Observers reported foul-smelling mud-water emerging from the fissures, though there are no reliable records of human casualties.

1642 – Sylhet Shake

In 1642, another powerful earthquake hit Sylhet district, damaging numerous structures. While detailed records are scarce, historical accounts note significant structural damage — yet no documented human deaths from that quake.

1762 Arakan Earthquake – The Most Powerful in Region

One of the deadliest earthquakes linked to modern-day Bangladesh was the 1762 Arakan earthquake, with an estimated magnitude between 8.5 and 8.8.

• The quake reportedly triggered a tsunami in the Bay of Bengal.

• In low-lying areas, villages sank; deep pits formed, and water gushes of mud were documented.

• Accounts from Gazetteers describe how houses collapsed, ground cracked, and the course of local rivers was dramatically altered.

• In Dhaka, witnesses reported “violent agitation” in rivers and water bodies, dead fish floating ashore, and widespread destruction.

• Estimated deaths reached around 500 people in certain regions.

This quake stands out not just for its strength but for its lasting geographic impact, including possible land subsidence and large-scale flooding.

1775 and 1812 – Recurring Tremors

• In 1775, tremors were felt around Dhaka, according to historical sources, though no large-scale casualty records survive.

• The 1812 earthquake, believed to have struck in Sylhet, again damaged homes and buildings, but historical documents do not report significant fatalities.

1865 – Sitakunda Quake

An earthquake in 1865, documented in Chattogram (then Chittagong), caused mud and sand to spurt from cracks in hills. While the damage was recorded, historical reports do not mention large-scale loss of life.

1885 Bengal Earthquake – Manikganj & Dhaka Impact

On 14 July 1885, a major quake struck near Manikganj, estimated to be around magnitude 7.0.

• The impact was felt widely, including in Dhaka, where buildings were damaged.

• The quake’s tremors extended into other regions such as Assam and Bihar, emphasizing its geographic reach.

• Despite the severity of shaking, casualty numbers remain unclear, though hundreds of structures were evidently affected.

1897 Great Indian Earthquake – Bangal’s Big Shake

Perhaps the most famous earthquake in Bengali history, the 12 June 1897 earthquake, known as the Great Indian Earthquake, struck with an estimated magnitude of ~8.0.

• The quake was powerful enough to be felt across Bengal, including Sirajganj, Pabna, and Dhaka.

• In Sirajganj, major buildings were destroyed, government offices, jails, post offices, and more.

• Ground fissures formed, wells silted over, and sand/water erupted from the soil.

• The financial cost was enormous for that era; contemporary estimates put losses at around Tk 50 lakh (in early-20th-century value).

• In Sylhet, the death toll possibly reached 545, according to Banglapedia-based records.

1918 Sreemangal Earthquake

In 1918, a strong earthquake struck near Sreemangal (in present-day Sylhet region), with an estimated magnitude of 7.6.

• It caused structural damage in Sylhet and was reportedly felt in neighboring regions and parts of Myanmar.

• Detailed casualty records are vague, but the intensity was historically significant.

1950 Assam Earthquake – Impact Felt in Bangladesh

On 15 August 1950, a massive 8.7-magnitude earthquake occurred in Assam.

• While the epicentre was not within Bangladesh, tremors were strongly felt in many parts of the country.

• Fortunately, in Bangladesh, there were no major reported fatalities, but the event served as a stark reminder of cross-border seismic risk.

1997 Chittagong Earthquake

A more recent quake struck on 21 November 1997 in the Chittagong–Bandarban region, with a magnitude of 6.1.

• The epicentre was in southern Mizoram (India), but the quake caused a five-storey building collapse in Chittagong, killing 23 people.

• Tremors from this quake were even felt in Dhaka, underlining how even distant events can impact the country.

1999 Moheshkhali Earthquake

In July 1999, a magnitude 5.2 quake struck near Moheshkhali, a coastal upazila.

• The quake damaged many houses, particularly on the island, though it did not reach the destructive scale of earlier historic events.

What History Tells Us: Lessons and Warnings

Reviewing these historic quakes highlights several critical lessons for Bangladesh today:

1. Recurring Risk Through the Centuries
   From the 1500s until the 20th century, Bangladesh has experienced powerful quakes. These historical tremors show that seismic threat is not new but deeply embedded in the country’s geography.

2. High-Impact Fault Zones
   Earthquakes like the 1762 Arakan quake altered geography (river courses, land elevation) and caused widespread destruction.

3. Cross-Border Danger
   Quakes originating outside Bangladesh — like the 1950 Assam quake — still affect the country. This shows that Bangladesh’s seismic risk isn’t just internal.

4. Building Vulnerability
   The destructive quakes often damaged or destroyed buildings, particularly in Dhaka and lower-lying regions. Many of today’s buildings may not be significantly stronger, given rapid urbanisation and population growth.

5. Preparedness Remains Urgent
   Experts have long called for stronger earthquake preparedness: enforcing building codes, increasing public awareness, and strengthening early-warning and response systems.

The New Alarm Bell: Recent Tremors and Renewed Anxiety

The recent earthquake jolting Bangladesh has reignited public anxiety about seismic hazards. Experts point out that while the recent quake may not be as powerful as historic ones, its psychological impact is significant  especially given how quickly news travels and how densely populated urban areas are today.

In addition, fault-line studies (such as those around the Madhupur fault) indicate that a stronger quake could still impact Dhaka and surrounding regions, raising the stakes for earthquake preparedness.

Why Understanding History Matters Now

Understanding Bangladesh’s seismic past is not an academic exercise — it is a vital tool for safeguarding the future. The echoes of past quakes carry important lessons for policymakers, urban planners, engineers, and citizens:

• For policymakers: Investing in resilience — retrofitting, regulation, and compensation planning — is not optional.

• For city planners: Building codes must reflect both historical risk and modern population density.

• For engineers: Historical patterns can guide safer design, especially in vulnerable zones.

• For citizens: Knowledge empowers preparedness — knowing which regions were hit before can inform evacuation plans and community response.

A Fragile Past, A Risky Future

Bangladesh’s history of devastating earthquakes  from the 1762 Arakan earthquake to the 1897 Great Indian Earthquake and beyond reveals a persistent seismic risk rooted deeply in its geology. Today’s tremors are not just reminders; they are urgent wake-up calls.