Situated in a high risk tremor zone with an overdue ground-slamming one, capital Dhaka awaits a devastating situation as it is ridden with poor water, gas and power supply lines, caution earthquake experts.

‘A magnitude-8 earthquake originating from Dawki Fault may hit the region anytime,’ said seismic expert Prof Dr Syed Humayun Akthter, reports UNB.

Madhupur fault located near Dhaka city is very active to generate a moderate to heavy earthquake, Dr Humayun said, adding that now energy is being accumulated in this fault and small quakes are giving an indication of a ‘bigger one’.

He said the country still sees an extremely low seismic activity but that will change at some point and when the ‘big one’ does strike that the devastation will be far worse than people have been imagining.

Dr Humayun predicted that water, gas and power supply lines will totally collapse in Dhaka city creating a devastating situation. ‘If the country experiences a magnitude-8 tremor, its gas lines will get destroyed causing huge fire.’

Many major industries like Ashuganj Fertiliser Industry will get destroyed after a massive tremor jolts the country, leaving a devastating impact on the country’s economy, the seismic expert said.   

‘Earthquake is the most devastating natural disaster on earth. It can destroy a civilisation within minutes,’ he said.

Another expert Dr ASM Maksud Kamal said it is important to get ready for the possible disasters by raising safety awareness among people.

He said gas and power supply lines, power generation, wireless communication system, telephone lines and road communications will get devastated after a heavy to moderate earthquake.

According to a 2010 study of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP), there will be an economic loss of about US$ 1.1 billion resulting from only structural damage in case of a magnitude-7.5 earthquake from the Madhupur Fault.

The economic losses due to the damage in infrastructures will be US$ 650 million and US$ 1.07 billion respectively in case of a magnitude-6 earthquake from under Dhaka city.

Some 30 million tonnes of debris, equal to 2,880,000 truckloads (25 tonnes per truck), will be generated if a 6-magnitude earthquake jolts the city from beneath it.

A magnitude-7.5 earthquake from the Madhupur Fault will generate a total of 30 million tonnes of debris, killing some 131,029 people instantly and injuring 32,948 others.

According to the study, at least 10 major hospitals, 90 schools in the capital will get destroyed completely and another 241 hospitals and clinics, 30 police stations and four fire stations partially in case of a magnitude-7.5 tremor.

Eminent urban planner Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury said there are a large number of vulnerable buildings in the capital city. If a tremor hits the city, over 100,000 people will be killed instantly due to the collapse of the vulnerable buildings.

The CDMP study showed that some 78,323 buildings will be destroyed completely if a magnitude-6 earthquake jolts Dhaka, causing havoc throughout the densely populated capital city.

In case of a magnitude-7.5 earthquake from Madhupur Fault, some 72,316 buildings will be damaged totally - while an estimated 53,166 partially.