Munshi Firoz Al Mamun
Dhaka, Feb 2, 2026:A magnitude 3.2 earthquake struck 10.5 kilometres east of Mirzapur in the Dhaka Division on Sunday at 6:30 pm (GMT+6), shaking parts of the capital and nearby districts. While the tremor caused no immediate damage, it has intensified concerns over Dhaka’s preparedness as repeated seismic activity continues to unsettle residents.
The latest quake adds to a series of tremors recorded in recent weeks, reinforcing warnings from experts that Bangladesh’s rapidly growing cities—especially Dhaka—are increasingly vulnerable due to unplanned urbanisation, unsafe buildings and weak enforcement of construction standards.
Repeated Quakes Renew Public Anxiety
Seismologists note that several earthquakes originating in central Bangladesh, including areas around Narsingdi and Mirzapur, suggest renewed geological movement that could affect Dhaka, Gazipur and surrounding urban centres.
Although these tremors have been moderate in strength, their frequency has raised alarms among urban planners and disaster-management professionals.
Dhaka’s extreme population density, ageing infrastructure and congested road network leave little margin for error if a stronger earthquake strikes.
Structural Weaknesses Deepen the Threat
Urban experts point out that Bangladesh’s major cities have expanded at a pace far exceeding regulatory capacity. In many neighbourhoods, buildings have been constructed without proper engineering design or approval, while narrow streets limit access for emergency vehicles.
Old Dhaka remains one of the most at-risk areas. A study by researchers from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) found dense clusters of non-engineered buildings, minimal open spaces and severely restricted evacuation routes, making large-scale rescue operations extremely difficult during a major quake.
The researchers used GIS mapping, field surveys and spatial analysis to design potential evacuation and rescue plans but cautioned that such models would remain ineffective without urgent reforms in urban planning and disaster preparedness.
Official Assessments Fall Short
Following recent tremors, Rajuk Chairman Riazul Islam said around 300 buildings in Dhaka have been officially identified as vulnerable. Independent experts, however, estimate the real number to be far higher.
Dhaka is home to more than 2.1 million buildings, and specialists warn that over 800,000 structures could face serious risk of collapse during a strong earthquake. So far, only about 3,200 buildings in Dhaka and Gazipur combined have undergone formal safety assessments.
Urban planners argue that responsibility lies both with regulatory authorities and property owners. While building codes exist, enforcement remains inconsistent, allowing unsafe construction to continue.
Calls for Urgent Preventive Measures
Housing and environmental experts are calling for immediate action, including retrofitting high-risk buildings, updating construction regulations and empowering authorities to halt illegal developments. They stress that prevention would cost far less than responding to a major disaster.
Residents say fear is growing with every new tremor. Taposh Debnath, a resident of Vatara, urged authorities to prioritise structural safety. “Approving buildings under outdated rules is dangerous,” he said.
Former multinational executive Jane Alam echoed similar concerns, noting that Dhaka’s urban design compares poorly with international standards. “In many cases, rural areas now seem safer simply because they are less congested,” she said.
A Disaster That Can Still Be Prevented
With a population approaching 20 million, Dhaka ranks among the most earthquake-prone capitals in the region. Experts warn that neighbourhoods built on unstable soil, filled with non-engineered structures and lacking emergency access routes face the greatest danger.
The 3.2 magnitude quake near Mirzapur, along with earlier tremors—including a 5.7 magnitude earthquake on 21 November—has underscored the urgency for coordinated action.
Unless Bangladesh moves quickly to strengthen buildings, redesign high-risk urban zones and enforce safety standards, experts warn that the next major earthquake could turn long-standing planning failures into a large-scale humanitarian crisis.
