Dhaka is at high risk as a maximum of eight magnitude earthquakes can hit the capital anytime, Mohibur Rahman, state minister for Relief and Disaster, said on Wednesday.       

At least 20% of buildings will collapse while lakhs of people will be trapped if an 8.0 magnitude earthquake hits the capital, Dhaka, the junior minister expressed his concern while talking to reports during a programme at his ministry office in Dhaka this noon.

The Secretariat Reporters’ Forum organised the programme on the government’s preparedness in dealing with such a disaster.

Earthquakes frequently take place in Turkey and thus they have developed disaster-resilient infrastructure and social systems, Rahman said.

“We are working to build volunteer teams in urban areas. Bangladesh is among the earthquake-prone countries, so we all need to remain conscious,” he said.   

Responding to a query, he said, “I am disclosing this information based on specific research. We have detailed data in this regard.”