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Who are giving us earthquake data?
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Only two officials monitor seismic activities in Bangladesh and they cannot monitor 24/7.
In any developed country and even in neighbouring India, automated machines and messaging services are used, experts said.
On December 2, a 5.6-magnitude tremor jolted parts of Bangladesh, triggering panic among the people. At least 76 garment workers and a Dhaka University student were injured while fleeing buildings that day.
Almost 100 quakes, mostly 3.0-4.5-magnitude minor jolts, have hit Bangladesh this year. Five of those were of magnitude 5 and above, according to data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) and India Meteorological Department.
According to BMD officials, they usually lose about 20 minutes in making information about quakes public as they have to rely on a manual system of data collection, processing, and interpretation.
They said after a jolt, they receive data which have to be manually fed into a computer so that the location and the magnitude of the earthquake can be learnt.
Rubyet Kabir, in charge of the Seismic Observatory and Research Centre of the BMD, said, “We would be able to give the information immediately if we have the software that generates automated results.”
He said they cannot provide information regarding the depth of an earthquake, which is important.
BMD officials said some data collection sites have serious noise issues, a huge barrier to getting accurate information about the depth of an earthquake. Hence, the BMD lacks the confidence to provide the depth data.
Experts said officials trained on detecting seismic activities should not be given other jobs at the BMD.
They also said officials with no geological background are bound to make errors in interpreting data churned out by the machines.
Dr Syed Humayun Akhter, former chairman of the geology department at Dhaka University, told The Daily Star that countries across the world have separate departments for collecting seismic data, interpreting the data, and disseminating the information.
India has the National Centre for Seismology in New Delhi, he said, adding that in Bangladesh the job should be given to the Geological Survey of Bangladesh where there are geologists.
He said the BMD could also appoint geologists and seismologists.
Mehedi Ahmed Ansary, a professor at the department of civil engineering at Buet, said, “There must be seismologists or engineering-seismologists at the BMD to interpret data accurately.”
He said the BMD could immediately liaise with Dhaka University or Buet for data interpretation.
Apart from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan also have separate seismic centres.
Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, said equipment can only measure the magnitude of an earthquake but information about its intensity is more important.
“Every area has a specific intensity. This data helps public and private organisations with information on how to construct an establishment in any area,” he said.
Mohan Kumar Das, executive director at the National Oceanographic and Maritime Institute (NOAMI), said the manual system depends on human observation, which can introduce delays in detecting seismic activity. An automated system can provide near-instantaneous alerts, allowing for quicker response times.
He said human operators can make errors in interpreting seismic signals or may not be able to recognise subtle signs of an impending earthquake. Automation reduces the risk of human errors and ensures a more accurate and reliable detection.
“Manual systems may not offer continuous, round-the-clock monitoring, leaving periods when seismic activity could go undetected,” he added.
The manual system relies on humans to relay information to emergency services, which can introduce delays in emergency response, especially after a disaster when communication infrastructure is compromised and everyone is trying to contact their loved ones.
“In Bangladesh, there is a significant coordination gap and a shortage of capable expert manpower. It is crucial to inspire real scientists, researchers, and geohazards specialists to address the upcoming earthquake risks.”
MANPOWER SHORTAGE
Only two officials man the Seismic Observatory and Research Centre of BMD.
Round-the-clock monitoring is not possible. In case of an earthquake during their off hours, one has to go to their office to update the nation, officials said, adding that they need at least six officials to have 24/7 monitoring.
The research centre has not conducted any research since it started operations in 2007.
“When will we conduct research? We are only two people. Should we work for the office or do research? Is it possible?” Rubyet said.
At least six officials, including Rubyet, had training on seismology in Japan but now only Rubyet is working at the centre.
Bangladesh has 13 seismometres across the country for data collection on seismic activities.

3 new parties
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bill was not paid on time.
The BNM was able to field only five aspirants in Dhaka. But only two of them submitted nomination papers to the EC. One of them, Hossain Ahmed Ashik of Dhaka-11, is a former JP leader.
Besides, the Trinamool BNP aspirant of Dhaka-4, Rafiqul Islam, was an organising secretary of Jatiya Party. He is still in JP’s executive committee. Contacted, he said, “I don’t belong to the party [JP] because the party does not allow new leaders to come forward.”
Among the 10 aspirants contacted by these correspondents, five were members of Bangladesh Chhatra League, one was a member of JSD Chhatra League, and the rest were not involved in politics before.
Shamsuzzaman, an aspirant of Dhaka-1 from the BSP, said he is participating in the election mainly because Saifuddin Maizbhandari had asked him to. An assistant general secretary of Ashiqin Awliya Oikko Parishad, Shamsuzzaman has been a devotee at Maizbhandar Darbar Sharif for 17 years.
Saifuddin Maizbhandari is vying for Dhaka-14. The party has 14 aspirants in Dhaka. One of them, Farahnaz Haque Chowdhury of Dhaka-11, is the chairperson of Krishok Sramik Party (KSP). She submitted her nomination paper from the BSP as her party is yet to get EC’s recognition.
The Trinamool BNP primarily fielded two aspirants for Dhaka-18. Both of their candidacy was cancelled.
Dhaka-14 Trinamool BNP candidate Nazmul Islam lost his candidacy for submitting unsigned papers. He was involved with the Chhatra League in the late 80s.
“But I was loyal to the party [AL]. I have friends in the Trinamool who said to me that if I joined this party, I might be able to support the government and there would be a chance [to get elected] if some negotiations happened,” he told The Daily Star recently.
Dhaka-19 Trinamool BNP candidate Mahabubul Hasan was a member of Chhatra League. “I love the Awami League. But competition is tough and the number of nomination seekers is large [in the AL].”