Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday invited written recommendations as soon as possible regarding the government’s earthquake preparedness measures.
Presiding over an emergency meeting at his Tejgaon office, Professor Yunus emphasized that the administration aims to take timely, scientific, and effective action. “We do not want to sit idle, nor do we want to take any unscientific steps. Please submit your recommendations quickly in written form; the government is ready to take all necessary measures,” he said.
The meeting was convened following a series of earthquakes felt across the country on 21 and 22 November. Top experts, university professors, and researchers participated, providing their insights on preparedness, disaster management, and public awareness.
Professor Yunus stated that an expert committee and one or more taskforces are being formed, and work will commence immediately after receiving the expert recommendations. “Our goal is to ensure that no such tragic incidents occur again,” he said, referring to casualties in recent earthquakes.
Advisers and officials present included Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Professor Ali Riaz.
Among the experts attending were Professor Md Zainul Abedin (MIST), Professors Dr Mehedi Ahmed Ansari and Professor Tahmeed Malik Al-Hussaini (BUET), Professor Md Zillur Rahman (DU), Professor Dr Jahangir Alam (CU), Professor Dr Humayun Akhter (DU), Professor Dr Tanvir Manjur (BUET), Acting Director Md Mominul Islam (BMD), meteorologist Md Rubyet Kabir, geologist Dr Reshad Md Ikram Ali, disaster expert Dr Md Shakhawat Hossain (DU), Director Md Moniruzzaman Khan (DU Disaster Management Institute), and Professor Israt Islam (BUET).
Experts stressed the importance of precautionary measures over panic, highlighting that while historical earthquake patterns help estimate probability, specific predictions of time and location are impossible. Professor Dr Zillur Rahman noted that Bangladesh is a low seismicity region, but adequate preparation remains crucial.
Professor Dr Humayun Akhter recommended engaging young people in awareness programs at multiple levels—individual, household, institutional, and community—to enhance mental preparedness. Professor Jahangir Alam stressed that ministries should assess infrastructure under their jurisdiction, especially hospitals, educational institutions, and utilities, while launching awareness programs in schools and universities.
Professor Md Zainul Abedin emphasized public awareness campaigns, drills, and identification of open spaces and gathering points for safety. Hospitals should be evaluated for structural soundness, emergency capacity, and readiness to manage mass casualties. Public Works Department Chief Engineer Md Khalekuzzaman Chowdhury reported that over 200 buildings had been assessed using specialized software to monitor earthquake-induced cracks, mostly in partition walls.
The Chief Adviser also highlighted the role of technology, citing the ‘Shubhechha’ app developed to connect with Bangladeshi scientists and earthquake experts abroad. He urged experts to provide guidance on additional features that could enhance disaster preparedness.
The meeting concluded with a decision to review written recommendations from experts promptly and form a task force comprising government and private officials, as well as subject-matter experts, to take immediate actions to strengthen earthquake preparedness nationwide.
PT/ra
