A team from the Department of Geology at Dhaka University visited various sites in Ghorashal, to collect soil samples from cracked areas for detailed analysis. Photo: BSS

By Jahidul Islam

DHAKA, Nov 22, 2025 (BSS) - A strong earthquake jolted Narsingdi and surrounding areas on Friday, causing widespread structural damage and triggering panic among residents. 

BSS district correspondent today visited several affected areas and saw that dozens of buildings, roads, and educational institutions developed cracks in the district, the epicenter of the tremor. Riverside communities and industrial workers also experienced intense fear. 

Several buildings, schools, shops, and roads suffered significant damage. The tremor, one of the strongest in recent history, has so far claimed at least ten lives and injured over 500 people across the country.

A seven-member team from the Department of Geology at Dhaka University visited various sites in Ghorashal, including the Ghorashal Dairy Farm and Palash Residential Model College, to collect soil samples from cracked areas for detailed analysis. 

On the ground, cracks were visible on the main road in front of Palash Residential Model College, and in Lebupura, the soil beneath a cattle farm had subsided, endangering over a hundred cows. 

Many multi-storey buildings developed cracks or partially collapsed. 

Equipment at the Ghorashal Thermal Power Plant was damaged, and a small fire broke out. 

Cracks were also reported on the old railway bridge over the Shitalakkhya River, as well as in the government food warehouse, the Deputy Commissioner's office and hundreds of other structures. Riverside residents were similarly alarmed.

Rafiq Ahmed, a 43-year-old resident of Palash, said, "During the earthquake, the river water surged with huge waves. We were terrified. Only after a while, we realized it was an earthquake. I have never experienced such tremor in my life."

Workers at the PRAN-RFL factory also panicked; several were injured while rushing out of buildings. 

Abdul Sattar, 56, a factory worker, recounted, "At first, we thought a heavy truck was passing outside. Then we saw the buildings shaking violently. Everyone ran out, and some fainted from fear."

Shopkeeper Fazlu Mia, 54, near the college, said, "Suddenly, the ground and buildings started shaking with a loud noise. Soil moved at the college gate, creating cracks. I have never seen anything like it before."

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department's earthquake monitoring centre confirmed Madhabdhi in Narsingdi as the epicenter.
 
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), it is located about 14 kilometers west-southwest of Narsingdi Sadar, near Danga village in Palash Upazila, close to the Ghorashal municipal area.
 
Consequently, people in these areas were among the worst affected.

Dr. A. S. M. Obaidullah, former professor at DU's Department of Geology, said the collected soil samples will help determine the earthquake's type and depth after analysis.

Meanwhile, the district administration is assessing the extent of damage across the district. 

Additional Deputy Commissioner Abu Taher Md. Shamsuzzaman said official damage estimates will be released within three to four days.

Palash Upazila Project Implementation Officer Kausar Alam Sarkar stated that damage assessments are ongoing in different unions and municipal areas. 

Preliminary reports indicate cracks in over a hundred mud houses and more than fifty government and private buildings and the figures are expected to rise, he said.

He added that families of two people who died in Palash Upazila have each received Tk 25,000 as financial aid and several others affected by the quake have been assisted under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief.