Editorial
Earthquake preparedness strategy
We are yet to evolve one
IF the occurrence of tsunami or earthquake in littoral states of the Indian ocean or the Pacific rim jolted us into looking inward for assessing our vulnerability to seismic disasters then it has only been reinforced by the catastrophe in Haiti. Nearer home, we have had our own minor versions. But through it all what comes to fresh light is the formation of high-powered Inter-ministerial Earthquake Preparedness and Awareness Committee following a High Court order of July 27, 2009.
That geologically and historically Bangladesh is known to be earthquake-prone is an accepted fact. Only that while we have been aware of the dangers all the time, our preparedness, even in rudimentary terms, for minimising severe quake effects has not graduated out of the talking phase. Potently, what up-scales our vulnerability is a whole range of manmade and demographic factors such as unplanned urbanisation, thickening density of population leaving scarcely any open space and, above all, fragile constructions that are largely non-compliant with standard building codes.
Hair-raising predictions of losses in terms of property, housing, livelihood and human life continue being made by experts in the event of seismic disaster of 7 on the Richter scale with epicentre at Madhupur faultline, about 65 kilometers away from Dhaka.
In this context, the decision of the inter-ministerial earthquake preparedness and awareness committee led by disaster preparedness ministry to check on the sustainability of buildings capable of withstanding a major earthquake is welcome. But it should be a time-bound survey meaning business with a clear term of reference including determination of sustainability on a scale of 10, establishing cut-off safety-point and setting numbers to buildings that are repairable and that which need to be thoroughly overhauled.
After the survey, comes the question of supervised operations to strengthen the buildings or redoing them with technological improvisations where possible.
That done, the expert insistence on procuring search and rescue equipment will have to be fully acted upon. We believe only a tiny step has been taken by the ministry concerned to import trucks, concrete cutters, cranes, cameras worth Tk 69 crore. Whilst these have been handed over to the Fire Service and Civil Defence Directorate and the Armed Forces Division, the requirement of these nodal agencies will have to be fully assessed and catered for.
Two more imperatives are: civil defence training at the public level and keeping in readiness volunteer groups. To our understanding, institutional preparations are key towards mitigating effects of any severe earthquake. Furthermore, the Haiti disaster is an eye opener to the fact that we will be better off having a home-grown earthquake preparedness strategy.
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