Dhaka at Risk: 40% of Buildings Could Collapse in Major Earthquake!

The capital city of Dhaka faces a potentially catastrophic earthquake risk, with the Dhaka Development Authority (RAJUK) warning that up to 40 per cent of buildings could collapse if a 6.9-magnitude tremor strikes along the Madhupur Fault in Tangail. Such an event could put more than 200,000 lives at risk.

RAJUK’s assessment, based on its own survey, highlights the vulnerability of the city despite its mandate to ensure buildings are constructed according to safety codes and urban planning regulations. The findings were presented at a seminar titled “Preparedness and Measures for Reducing Earthquake Risk” held at the Engineers’ Institution, Bangladesh (IEB) in Ramna, Dhaka. The event was organised following a series of minor tremors experienced in the city over the previous Friday and Saturday.

Officials, including two government advisers, RAJUK’s chairman, emergency service representatives, professional bodies, and disaster management experts, attended the seminar. Environmental adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan called for an urgent risk assessment of all buildings in the capital, urging that third-party evaluations begin immediately. She stressed that there can be no leniency where buildings are structurally unsound, recommending that RAJUK be granted special powers if necessary.

Industry adviser Adilur Rahman Khan added that the “Town Improvement Act” will soon be amended to strengthen RAJUK’s authority.

RAJUK’s executive engineer, Khandakar Md. Wahid Sadik, stated that a 6.9-magnitude earthquake along the Madhupur Fault could destroy 864,619 buildings in Dhaka—just over 40 per cent of the city’s total. The financial losses could reach approximately $2.5 billion, equivalent to nearly 300,000 crore taka. Repair or reconstruction of affected buildings is estimated to cost a further $4,370 crore (over 5 lakh crore taka). This survey was conducted under the Urban Resilience Project (2015–2024), which was funded at 568 crore taka. The last major quake along this fault was a 7.5-magnitude tremor in 1885, and no similar event has occurred in the past 140 years.