The world is yet to fully recover from the trauma of the 7.8-magnitude quake, followed by dozens of aftershocks, including one of 7.5-magnitude, which wiped out entire sections of major Turkish cities and Syria and killed at least 50,000 people. Within just seven months, another one struck the North African country, Morocco, leaving more than 2,000 people dead so far, which is feared to rise further. The World Health Organisation said more than 300,000 people have been affected by the disaster. The 6.8-magnitude quake in the remote High Atlas mountain region at 2211 GMT Friday is shocking as well as pathetic for the world. We mourn the death of the victims and pray for the quick recovery of the injured.     

It is the strongest-ever quake to hit the North African kingdom, and one expert described it as the region's ‘biggest in more than 120 years’. In the mountain village of Tafeghaghte near the quake’s epicentre, virtually no buildings were left standing. A red alert is issued for economic losses, saying extensive damage is probable. A similar or worse scenario may be seen if an earthquake hits our country because we already know ours is a highly earthquake-prone country, having five geological fault lines.

If a massive earthquake of 7 or greater magnitude hit our country, it would lead to a major human tragedy because of the faulty structures of many buildings across the country, including the capital, Dhaka, and the lack of people's awareness of what to do during and after an earthquake. Earlier, a study revealed that more than 72,000 buildings in the capital are vulnerable to any earthquakes of 7.0 or greater magnitude on the Richter scale; no initiative however has been taken either to demolish the shabby buildings or retrofit the weaker ones. The number of public awareness campaigns is not enough either.

We cannot afford the luxury of taking the probability of a massive earthquake lightly. Statistics say that a massive earthquake struck this region in every century and the last one was in 1897. It only suggests that another massive quake is overdue. Frequent quakes of lesser magnitude in the country are indicative of such a catastrophe. So, authorities should take necessary steps to seal the loopholes without dilly-dallying.

Source: Sun Editorial