The country experienced earthquakes for 590 times in the last 17 years, while the number of casualties in these tremors were nine, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya said. Replying to a question from treasury bench member Mahfuzur Rahman Mita (Chittagong-3) on Sunday, the minister said the country faced highest 84 earthquakes in 2011, followed by 77 in 2012 and 69 in 2015. Maya also said the lowest 10 tremors jolted the country in 2007 followed by 12 in 2004. He said 32 tremors occurred in 2001, 45 in 2002, 18 in 2003, 25 in 2005, 16 in 2006, 24 in 2008, 27 in 2009, 15 in 2010, 40 in 2013, 41 in 2014, 36 in 2016 and 19 till July this year.
The minister said nine people were killed and injured in these earthquakes. Of them, four died and suffered injuries in 2015, while the number of casualties in 2016 was five, he added.
Maya further said a “preparedness on earthquakes and mass awareness committee” at the national level has been constituted to create awareness among the people about tremors.
He said a book titled “Mass Awareness about Earthquakes” has been published and leaflets have been distributed for taking steps on earthquakes.
The minister said creating mass awareness about tremors through arranging drills at least twice in a year and holding seminars and workshops on the issue across the country are going on.
