A Correspondent :
The port city Chittagong and its adjoining areas are at high risk of earth quakes. If Chittagong jolts with over 7 Richter scale earthquakes, it would bring disaster to one and half lakh buildings and more than 50 lakh of its dwellers, the experts observed.
The experts also pointed out that the disaster may be dangerous as there is hardly any precautionary measures for minimizing the lose of earth quake in Chittagong. People are also not very aware in this regard.
Sources said, three light tremors hit the greater Chittagong early morning in a quick succession following the 4.7 earthquake sending panicked residents coming out from the houses, offices and other establishments on June 27 last year. Besides, a tremor hit the greater Chittagong on April 13 last year.
There was no report of casualty due to the quake. There was no information of damages in Cox’s Bazar and offshore islands in Chittagong. According to local geo-physical department the intensity of the quake in the Richter scale is 7.1. The epicenter of the tremor was Myanmar. But, a total of four high rise buildings tilted on April 13 evening during the earth quake.
Dr Mohammad Jahangir Alam, the former Vice chancellor (VC) of Chittagong University of Science and Technology (CUET) and city planner said, “Most of the buildings in the port city lack quake proof measures and no other precautionary arrangements to face any such natural disasters”.
“As a result, around 60 lakh city dwellers in the city are currently living at high risk of natural disasters like massive earth quake as the Chittagong and adjoining areas including Cox’s Bazar and three hill districts Rangamati, Banderban and Khagrachari are quake-prone zone” he added.
He said, more than one lakh 42 thousand buildings out of one lakh 82 thousand are at high risk due to several reasons including violation of building code, low quality construction, lack of quake proof measures in the port city Chittagong. As a result, the risky buildings are likely to be destroyed by moderate earth quakes.
Dr Mohammed Jahangir Alam said, maximum government establishments have no measure for facing the risk of natural disasters like massive earth quake. Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Chittagong General Hospital, Chittagong Port Bhabon, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation office, oil companies including Padma, Meghna, Jamuna, Eastern Refinery Limited etc, Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) Building, Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Building are in risk of natural disasters like massive earth quake.”
He said, there are 1080 hospital buildings in Chittagong. But, all of these are in risk of natural disasters like massive earth quake. There are 21664 beds in the private and government hospitals and clinics. Of these only 964 beds of all hospitals will be saved if around 8 Richter scale earth quake hits Chittagong. As a result, we have no facilities for saving the lives after unwanted natural disasters like massive earth quake. So, most of the people are living in high risk in Chittagong.”
He further mentioned that gas and power stations are in high risk of natural disasters like massive earth quake. After hitting 8 Richter scale earth quake, all supply of power, gas and others will be stopped. Moreover, we have no equipments to save the earth quake victims after a massive accident.”
Sources said, greater Chittagong is in high-risk zone for earthquake. But there is no active seismic center in Chittagong to detect the earthquake. The earthquakes created panic among 60-lakh dwellers. Experts said, Chittagong is in the high risk of massive earthquake. The absence of a comprehensive pre and post earthquake program may aggravate the situation causing a disaster.
He said, “CDA, CCC and other authorities concerned including the ministry and government will be very careful in this regard. If we all work together sincerely, we can face the natural disasters.” He said, “We will never allow to construct a building without taking measure for earth quake. We never give permission or approve the plan without ensuring the high quality constriction with high quality materials.”
“Our government is taking steps to solve the crisis and assured the disaster or quake-proof building for future generation. Meanwhile, we will take measure to ensure the quake-proof set in prevailing buildings,” he added.
Sources said, more one hundred high-rise and multi-storied buildings are in very risky position in the port city due to expiry of dates and default of construction. Several thousands people are living in high risk in the port city in those buildings. The authorities concerned including CDA and CCC are yet to take any measure in this regard after tilting several buildings here in the port city recently.
According to the sources, CDA identified 400 buildings as illegal. Of these, 60 were high risky for dwellers as these became very old and constructed illegally at that time. Earlier, CDA knocked down the unauthorized establishments, portions of the malls or buildings for not keeping parking spaces in the underground or for violating the design.
The identified risky buildings are mainly located in the old parts of Ghat Farhadbegh, Chaktai, Khatunganj, Patharghata, Firingibazar, Korbanigonj, Andarkilla, Chandanpura and Ambagan in the port city.
But, decision of CCC of demolishing 60 risky buildings in the port city Chittagong yet to be realized due to lack of steps and resistance of the building owners. The CCC and CDA failed to demolish the risky buildings. Meanwhile, some of the owners demolished their buildings as per the directive of CCC and CDA. However, most of the owners are yet to demolish their buildings.
