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Dhaka, Nov 23, 2025 (BSS)- Experts have warned that Bangladesh may face a major earthquake at any time and stressed that only strong preparedness and widespread public awareness can minimise the potential consequences. 

They said the 5.7-magnitude earthquake that jolted the country two days ago is a reminder of the region's vulnerability and the urgent need for action.

According to experts, Dhaka and other major cities are at high seismic risk due to unplanned urbanisation, faulty land-use patterns and the country's complex geological and tectonic structure. They said that if the national building code is strictly followed, the damage from a large-scale earthquake can be significantly reduced.

Earthquake expert Dr Md Zillur Rahman, Professor at the Department of Disaster Science and Climate Resilience at Dhaka University, told BSS that Friday's earthquake was the strongest felt in the region in the last 50 to 60 years.

"As a geologist, I am examining whether a fault line exists near the epicentre. Evidence suggests that the Shitalakshya River flowing past Narsingdi follows a linear, fault-controlled path," he said. "Bangladesh has experienced earthquakes of magnitude 7 to 7.5 in the past, and such powerful tremors may occur again."

He said moderate earthquakes are not unusual for Bangladesh and that tremors of similar magnitude have been recorded in the past. "Bangladesh is a moderately earthquake-prone region. The 5.7-magnitude quake felt within 58 hours was relatively strong in Dhaka and its surrounding areas," he added.

Dr Zillur emphasised that the national building code already includes proper technical parameters for constructing earthquake-resistant structures. "If every building is constructed according to the code, the risk of large-scale destruction will decrease substantially."

North South University Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Infrastructure Research and Services (CIRS), Dr Minhaj Mohammad Shahriar, referred to a recent statement issued by the Bangladesh Geological Society (BGS). According to the BGS, Bangladesh is located on a highly complex geological-tectonic boundary.

"Bangladesh lies on a subduction-related plate boundary," Dr Minhaj explained. "The Indian plate began subducting beneath the Burmese plate hundreds of thousands of years ago, forming the Chattogram and Sylhet hills. The pressure between these plates is still active. More surveys and research are necessary to understand its rate and nature."

The Geological Society warned that since earthquakes strike without prior warning and can cause catastrophic damage within seconds, a lack of preparation greatly increases the risk. It stressed that awareness, planning and practical knowledge on earthquakes can save countless lives.

The BGS also stated that the recent Narsingdi earthquake proved that the central region of Bangladesh is not geologically stable. It cautioned that the quake did not release underground pressure; rather, pressure is continuously accumulating. Fault systems such as the Madhupur Fault, Dawki Fault, the Plate Boundary Zone and the Arakan Subduction Zone -- both inside and outside Bangladesh -- could trigger larger earthquakes in the future. Given Bangladesh's location in a high-risk seismic belt, the threat of major quakes will remain over the coming decades.

According to geological analysis, the affected region lies within the Indo-Burma tectonic plate boundary, extending along the Shitalakshya fault line. This suggests that earthquakes of similar or greater magnitude may occur again. Experts said it is urgently necessary to map the hidden faults and update the national earthquake hazard map.

Friday's 5.7-magnitude quake, felt most intensely in Madhabadi upazila of Narsingdi at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, should be considered a serious warning for the country, experts said. They stressed that Bangladesh must take immediate preparedness measures and enforce building code compliance to reduce the impact of future quakes.

Dr Minhaj said the strong tremor caused panic among people across the country, which he described as natural. "However, global patterns show that unplanned urbanisation, high population density and the growth of industrial structures have made Bangladesh more vulnerable. Therefore, both the government and citizens must work together to increase awareness," he said.

Professor Dr Md Badruddoza Miah, Chairman of the Department of Geology at Dhaka University, urged people not to panic but to remain alert. "Awareness is crucial. Educational institutions -- schools, colleges, universities -- should emphasise earthquake preparedness and safety practices," he said.

He added that Bangladesh faces elevated risk due to unplanned urbanisation and weak infrastructure. "Public awareness must be expanded. Buildings should be constructed strictly following the national building code. Research on earthquake science and seismic risk must be prioritised."