Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka, has experienced not just one but two recent tremors within less than a day, intensifying worries after an earthquake that resulted in six deaths and over a hundred injuries. But here’s where it gets controversial: the latest minor shake has residents on edge again, even as officials scramble to understand the full scope of the seismic activity. This pattern of repeated tremors raises questions about the underlying seismic risks in the region.
Early Saturday evening, around 6:06 pm, residents reported feeling a quick but noticeable jolt, sparking renewed fears and anxiety throughout the city, according to reports from Prothom Alo. This brief shaking was part of an ongoing series of seismic events that have left many feeling unsettled.
Meteorologist Tariful Newaz Kabir shared with The Daily Star that authorities are actively collecting detailed data from the country’s seismic monitoring center to better understand these recent activities. This is important because understanding the nature and frequency of these tremors is crucial for safety planning.
Earlier in the morning, at approximately 10:36 am, a smaller quake with a magnitude of 3.3 was recorded, its epicenter located in Palash upazila of Narsingdi district. This information comes from Bangladesh’s leading newspaper, Prothom Alo, which has been closely monitoring the situation.
The recent activity is even more alarming considering it follows a more powerful quake that struck the area less than 24 hours earlier. On Friday morning, at around 10:38 am (or 10:08 am Indian Standard Time), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake shook the region near Madhabdi upazila of Narsingdi, just about 13 kilometers east of Dhaka. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that this quake originated at a depth of 10 kilometers, making its effects more widespread.
The damage from Friday’s quake was tragic. Authorities confirmed that ten lives were lost, including two children, and over a hundred individuals sustained injuries. Such a magnitude—classified as ‘strong’ in seismic terms—underscores the potential danger posed by these tremors.
On social media, stories flooded in from residents describing ceiling fans swaying, chandeliers trembling, and windows rattling as shockwaves moved through homes and offices. These vivid accounts highlight how deeply the tremors affected daily life.
Interestingly, the quake was also strongly felt in Kolkata (Calcutta), marking one of the most noticeable impacts in recent years. A seismologist explained that Calcutta’s proximity to the quake’s epicenter contributed to the intensity of the shaking. According to India’s National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the same quake with a magnitude of 5.7 caused mild tremors across districts like Hooghly, Nadia, Murshidabad, and North 24-Parganas, though no casualties have been reported there.
All of this points to a region that’s increasingly vulnerable to seismic activity, raising questions about preparedness and safety measures. With recent events highlighting the potential for significant damage and loss of life, many are left wondering: how much more can this region take before the next big shake? And what steps should be taken to better protect communities from what seems like an ongoing seismic threat? Feel free to share your thoughts—do you think Bangladesh and neighboring areas are doing enough to prepare for these unpredictable tremors?