UNB, Dhaka :
Some 42,000 buildings will totally collapse in the capital if a 7.5 magnitude of earthquake hits the city originating from Madhupur fault, 60 kilometers away from it, according to an earthquake expert.
“Nearly 72,000 buildings will be damaged partially or completely in the city if the earthquake hits the city with the same magnitude,” Prof Maksud Kamal, a teacher of Dhaka University’s Geology Department, told a discussion here on Thursday evening.
Oxfam, a global development agency, organised the discussion at Shilpakala auditorium marking the first anniversary of Rana Plaza tragedy.
Dr Kamal said, 30 billion tonnes of debris will be generated in the city after the 7.5 magnitude tremor. “And if 100 trucks are used to remove the debris from the city, 25 years will be needed to complete the task.”
Terming urban disaster management a complex matter, he said it will be a very difficult task for the government to cope with the aftermath of such a disaster.
Shirin Akhter, MP, vice chancellor of Dhaka University Prof AASM Arefin Siddique and Oxfam’s Country Director Snehal V Soneji, among others, spoke at the discussion.
