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Experts for quake preparedness

Staff Correspondent
An extensive seismic survey on tremor-risk zones and installation of necessary equipment to monitor earthquakes were sought at a meeting sponsored by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief yesterday.
It also stressed the need to formulate a comprehensive contingency preparedness plan, both pre-and post-quake, particularly for Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Mymensingh regions.
Equipment worth no more than Tk 15 crore are required to monitor and measure tremors, the meeting observed.
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Quoting a previous global study, former advisor to the caretaker government and teacher of Buet (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology) Prof. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury said Dhaka is among the 20 most tremor vulnerable cities in the world.
But casualty and losses can be reduced if the buildings and installations are constructed following proper building codes.
Chowdhury, who is currently the Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University, also cautioned about the consequences of constructing high-rise buildings on narrow roads and lanes.
He however criticised the view of some experts who frequently say that 80 per cent of buildings in the capital will collapse to any major quake. "It is not wise to spread panic. Rather, we should make all aware of earthquake preparedness," he said.
He also urged the private mobile operators to check on the method of building construction before erecting antennas on private buildings.
Dr Ansari of Buet meanwhile urged the government to install seismic alarm switch immediately at all utility service departments like gas, water, electricity and
telephone so that those automatically go off during tremor and can be restored soon after shocks.
Otherwise, damage to those sectors would be massive, he pointed out.
Mohammad Shafiullah, group captain of Bangladesh Air Force, suggested introduction of earthquake preparedness in the syllabus of school, college and university.
Brigadier General Elias said that eight teams comprising experts from army, navy, air force and rifles conducted mock rescue operation in city and submitted a report to the disaster management ministry last year. The ministry is yet to respond to the report, he added.
Minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf meanwhile informed the meeting about Japan's willingness to assist Bangladesh in earthquake affairs.