Dhaka at Extreme Risk After Earthquake: Unplanned Construction, High Population Might Turn City into a Graveyard
A moderate 5.7 magnitude Bangladesh earthquake shook Dhaka and several districts this morning, but experts warn that the tremor is more than just a natural event—it is a reminder of the catastrophic danger facing one of the world’s most densely populated cities. With unplanned construction, ageing infrastructure, and millions living in vulnerable buildings, Dhaka risks turning into a “graveyard” if a major earthquake strikes.
A Wake-Up Call for Dhaka’s Fragile Urban Landscape
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) recorded the tremor at 10:38 am, with the epicentre located in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, just 13 km from Dhaka’s seismic station at Agargaon. The shallow depth of 10–12 km amplified its impact—causing buildings to sway, sending people rushing into the streets, and sparking widespread fear across the capital.
Prof Syed Humayun Akhter, prominent geologist and former Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University, described the shaking as unusually strong for the region. “Buildings were shaking like trees,” he said, calling it one of the most powerful tremors felt inside the country in recent years.
But while the Bangladesh earthquake itself caused limited immediate damage, experts argue that it exposed the deep, structural weaknesses that make Dhaka one of the riskiest megacities on the planet.
Dhaka: One of the World’s Most Vulnerable Cities to Earthquakes
Dhaka’s vulnerability comes from a deadly combination:
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chaotic urbanisation,
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weak enforcement of building codes,
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poorly engineered structures, and
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one of the highest population densities globally.
Seismologists have warned for years that the capital lies near active fault lines of the Indo-Burma subduction zone, capable of producing earthquakes far stronger than the 5.7 magnitude tremor felt today.
If a major quake—7.0 or above—strikes, experts fear massive collapse.
Multiple studies predict:
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tens of thousands of buildings could fall within minutes,
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narrow lanes would block rescue operations,
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hospitals and schools might not withstand strong shaking, and
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millions could be trapped without aid.
This is why urban planners repeatedly use the term “graveyard scenario” for Dhaka. The city is simply not prepared for a large-scale Bangladesh earthquake.
Unplanned Construction: A Disaster Waiting to Happen
Dhaka’s skyline is filled with high-rises, apartments, factories, and commercial buildings—many built without proper engineering oversight or soil testing.
Key issues include:
1. Informal and illegal extensions
Top floors added without approval are common. These unreinforced structures are the first to collapse during strong tremors.
2. Weak foundations on soft soil
Large parts of Dhaka sit on soft alluvial deposits that amplify seismic waves.
3. Non-engineered buildings in old neighbourhoods
Areas such as Old Dhaka, Mirpur, and Mohammadpur contain thousands of ageing structures built without earthquake-resistant designs.
4. Corruption in approval processes
Experts note that building code violations often go unchecked due to weak monitoring and bribery.
As a result, even moderate shaking—such as today’s Bangladesh earthquake—creates real danger for millions living in unsafe and overcrowded structures.
A City Where Population Density Increases Disaster Risk
Dhaka is the 7th most densely populated city in the world, with nearly 50,000 people per square kilometre in some neighbourhoods. This means:
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buildings are tightly packed together
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escape routes are limited
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emergency service vehicles cannot enter congested areas
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fire risks multiply in collapsed structures
In a major Bangladesh earthquake, fire outbreaks, gas leaks, and stampedes could cause just as much damage as falling buildings.
Crowds seen today fleeing buildings after the tremor show how desperate the situation could become during a stronger quake.
Warnings Ignored: Experts Have Long Predicted This Scenario
For more than a decade, geologists and urban planners have warned that Dhaka is one major earthquake away from catastrophe.
International studies—including those conducted with support from the United Nations—describe Dhaka as:
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“extremely high-risk”
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“structurally fragile”
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“poorly prepared for seismic hazards”
Yet progress has been slow. Retrofitting of old buildings remains limited. Public training drills are rare. A majority of residents do not know proper safety procedures during a Bangladesh earthquake.
Prof Akhter emphasised today that the shallow, locally generated tremor should be treated as an urgent warning. “A larger quake is not a matter of if—but when,” he said.
Reports of Tilted Buildings: Authorities Continue Assessments
Following the morning tremor, concerns grew as residents reported:
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tilted buildings,
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deep cracks on walls,
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fallen plaster, and
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shaking of water tanks.
Authorities say these reports are still unverified, but structural engineers began inspecting vulnerable zones in Dhaka and Narsingdi. Though damage was minimal, the tremor revealed structural weaknesses that could worsen in future quakes.
Disaster management units have urged residents to avoid weakened buildings and remain alert.
Lack of Preparedness: The Biggest Threat
While Bangladesh has made progress in cyclone preparedness, earthquake readiness remains critically low. Unlike cyclones, earthquakes strike without warning.
Key gaps include:
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insufficient public awareness
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minimal disaster response training
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lack of earthquake-resistant retrofitting
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limited resources for mass rescue
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delays in enforcing the Bangladesh National Building Code
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inadequate evacuation plans for schools, factories, and high-rise buildings
In a city of nearly 22 million people, these gaps could cost thousands of lives.
What Bangladesh Must Do Now
Experts recommend several urgent steps to prevent Dhaka from turning into a “graveyard” after a big Bangladesh earthquake:
1. Enforce building codes strictly
No new construction should be allowed without detailed soil testing and engineering approval.
2. Retrofit high-risk structures
Old buildings, especially schools, hospitals, and residential towers, must be strengthened.
3. Introduce mandatory earthquake drills
Schools, factories, and government offices should conduct regular practice sessions.
4. Train large volunteer groups
Rapid community-level response can save lives in the first 24 hours.
5. Improve city planning
Wider roads, open spaces, and safe evacuation zones are essential.
6. Public awareness campaigns
Millions need to learn how to respond when a quake hits.
Today’s Earthquake Was a Warning, Not a Disaster
While the 5.7 magnitude tremor caused fear and minor disruption, it served as a stark reminder of Dhaka’s extreme vulnerability. Without rapid action, experts warn that a stronger Bangladesh earthquake could turn the capital into a “graveyard”—a scenario driven not just by natural forces but by human negligence.
