A magnitude 5.7 earthquake that shook the country on Friday has once again exposed the severe seismic vulnerability of the port city of Chattogram. Experts and city planners warn that widespread disregard for building codes and the use of substandard construction materials have left nearly 70 percent of the city’s buildings at risk of severe damage or collapse in the event of a major earthquake.
According to the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), approximately 267,000 buildings in the city are currently vulnerable to earthquakes ranging from magnitude 7 to 8.
A City on Shaky Ground:
CDA data reveals that there are currently 382,111 buildings in Chattogram. The majority are single-story structures (over 278,000), while there are over 13,000 buildings between six and ten stories, and over 500 high-rises exceeding ten stories.
Kazi Hasan Bin Shams, Chief Engineer of the Chattogram Development Authority, admitted the gravity of the situation.
“It is true that many buildings in Chattogram were constructed without following the Building Construction Rules,” Kazi Hasan Bin Shams said. “As a result, 70 percent of the city’s buildings would be directly damaged in a magnitude 7 to 8 earthquake.”
Flouting Regulations:
According to the Chattogram Metropolitan Building (Construction, Development, Preservation, and Removal) Rules, 2008, developers must clear eight stages of approval, including soil testing, structural design, and technical supervision during construction.
However, officials note that while most owners obtain the initial design approval, the subsequent steps—specifically regarding the quality of materials and adherence to the design during construction—are frequently ignored.
Historical Data and Expert Warnings:
Previous surveys paint an equally grim picture. A disaster risk assessment conducted between 2009 and 2011 by the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP) found that 92 percent of the 182,000 buildings surveyed at the time were at risk. Hospitals, clinics, and educational institutions were identified as the most vulnerable.
A 2022 study by researchers from BRAC University and Gopalganj Science and Technology University highlighted that rapid, unplanned urbanization has made Chattogram critically unsafe.
Mohammad Jahangir Alam, former Vice-Chancellor of Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), emphasized the lack of enforcement.
“Chattogram is at high risk because most buildings have not followed the laws and rules during construction, and the CDA did not supervise them properly,” Mohammad Jahangir Alam noted.
Lack of Rescue Preparedness:
Beyond the structural risks, the city is ill-equipped to handle the aftermath of a massive quake. Urban planners point out that many buildings have been constructed in congested areas with narrow lanes, making it impossible for fire trucks, ambulances, or heavy rescue machinery to access them during a disaster.
While Friday’s earthquake caused no fatalities, history suggests the city is living on borrowed time. A 1997 earthquake caused a five-story building to collapse in the city, leading to casualties, and in 2016, a 6.99 magnitude quake caused 12 buildings to tilt.
Source: Prothom Alo
