TITLE:
Response to an Earthquake in Bangladesh: Experiences and Lesson Learnt
AUTHORS:
Animesh Biswas, Saidur Rahman Mashreky, Koustuv Dalal, Toity Deave
KEYWORDS:
Component, Formatting, Style, Styling
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Earthquake Research,
Vol.5 No.1,
December
30,
2015
ABSTRACT: A powerful earthquake occurred in Nepal on 25th April 2015 where the highest measure of the
tremor was 7.9 on the Richter scale with a minimum of 6.6. The death toll was around 3000 and
thousands were injured in the devastation of the disaster. The earthquake and subsequent earth
tremors were also felt in other South East Asian countries including Bangladesh, India and China.
Bangladesh was jolted twice by tremors and, although the tremor was not as severe, it was reported
to be between 4 and 5 on the Richter scale. Aftershocks over the next few days were also
experienced and these ranged around 5 on the Richter scale. In Bangladesh, six lives were lost, and
more than 200 people were injured and were taken to hospital. There were also many buildings
that collapsed in the mega city Dhaka and its surrounding areas. This study describes the country’s
response to the earthquake. This experience and the lessons learnt highlight the importance
for national earthquake-proof building regulations and systems to lessen the damage and devastation
of any future earthquake.