Editorial
The HC directive is well timed
Call for preparedness against earthquake should be heeded
THE high court rule issued Monday on the government to procure equipment for rescuing victims of earthquake as well as to form a committee on the issue in case one strikes any part of the country in the future has awakened the nation to a spectre looming large for long. This is a welcome move by the highest seat of justice of the country.
Bangladesh is no stranger to natural calamities like cyclones and floods. Due to their frequent visitations and the destructions they cause, the preparedness against them is understandably better. Even though an earthquake is nothing new to us, yet we remain in a poor state of preparedness to face it. Meanwhile, earthquakes of rather moderate intensities occurred in Sylhet, Rajshahi and Chittgong including one of 5.6 on the Richter in the capital city. In November 7 of 2007, a 6-degree quake jolted Chittagong and Khagrachhari districts. The tremor even cracked open a fault in the hills of Chittagong and Khagrachhari.
Experts are of the opinion that a series of minor tremors are but a precursor of yet stronger earthquakes of more devastating consequences. Who knows then that the milder earthquakes of the previous years do not portend a quake or quakes of fatal consequences?
But how did the authorities and all others concerned respond to those earthquake incidents? Well, immediately after those earthquakes, one could see a flurry of activities and enhanced level of awareness among the public, in the media and within the government circles. Though there were a lot of talks, but nothing of much substance emerged afterwards. Gradually people forgot about those quakes and along with them the need to get prepared against any future earthquake of destructive consequence.
Consider the fearful scenario of a temblor of devastating intensity striking the capital city of around 15 million with its old and new buildings jam-packed with people. What is worse, apart from old, dilapidated buildings, there are also new structures, including the high-rise ones, many of which are not earthquake proof. The very thought of it sends shivers down the spine!
So, we have hardly any time to lose regarding our preparedness against any future earthquake. The government needs to swing into action without delay and take all necessary measures in this respect. Those cover awareness campaign among the people, holding of civil defence exercises, conducting regular drills at workplaces and educational institutions and so on. Capacities of the existing fire-fighting units have to be increased with more men and materials. Simultaneously, a strong monitoring mechanism has to be installed to ensure that the buildings are equipped with necessary in-built anti-quake measures.
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