NEPAL: Dhaka city will face more destructions and damages if a tremor like Nepal hits Bangladesh.

The main reason of more destruction would be the density of population, proximity of buildings, lack of open space and the faulty electricity and gas transmission lines.

This was the observation by Director of Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense (operation & maintenance) Major ATM Shakil Newaj Khan, who is now in Nepal to observe the overall situation here after the massive tremor of April 25.

Major Shakil Newaj Khan came to Nepal with a five-member Fire Service team on May 3. Following Primer Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directions, the team was expected to reach Nepal earlier but the Nepal government informed them that they do not need the help.

Later, the team has come to Nepal with the permission of Sheikh Hasina to gather experiences from Nepal quake so that they can utilize it in facing disasters in Bangladesh, Major Shakil said.

The Fire Service boss was also coordinating various issues with the Bangladesh embassy in Nepal.

Major Shakil said, ‘It’s a fact that we cannot prevent earthquake but can reduce losses’. According to him, in any disaster first half-an hour is a ‘golden time’ and first 24 hours is a ‘golden day’, because with the delay of rescue work the chance of rescuing life decreases.

He told Banglanews that they have seen how dead bodies were managed. They have talked to local people and learnt many things, which they will use in Dhaka.

The losses Nepal incurred may take 10 years to recoup. About 80 percent houses were either destroyed or damaged. Tourism is the most important sector of income which has been largely affected.

He commented that around 70,000-100,000 people might be killed in Dhaka if a tremor like the one that jolted Nepal hits the city.

Explaining his comment he said that there is a lot of open space in Nepal for taking shelter but the picture is opposite in Dhaka. He suggested the buildings of old Dhaka need to be declared as abandoned otherwise there would be a massacre there.

Nepal was a bit lucky because April 25 was a holiday; as a result, people completed their cooking within 10:00am and closed the oven. Moreover, there was load-shedding from 11:00am to 11:30am; otherwise, the destruction would have been more disastrous.

‘In this case in Dhaka, we have numerous faulty electricity and gas supply lines, which might cause more damages,’ Major Shakil apprehended.

He also informed the media that there is a big reserve of WASA water to the tune of 63 crore liters. In case of tremor the water tanks will explode and the whole city will be flooded and, if electrified, it will pose a major threat to lives.

Major Shakil also gave solution to this type of problem saying to keep arrangement of central ‘Auto Shutdown System’ so that one could switch-off the power lines at a time in case of emergency.

Regarding disaster preparedness for tremor Shakil opined that there is no alternative of training particularly for women, who will be able to manage their families in case of emergency.

Shakil also put emphasis on strengthening the SAARC team and to make the airports and entry-points of the country more effective so that relief and rescue from friendly countries can have quick access.

He said that there was no designated team of volunteers in Nepal. So, it took longer time to mobilize and organize them. This caused more loss.

‘We should enhance our warning program. Personnel from each and every uniformed service should be given training to face disaster. City corporations and Fire Service shall have to be made stronger.’

Disaster related curriculum should be introduced in schools and colleges and people need to be trained to survive at least for seven days in any disaster.

Equipment is necessary in any rescue operations. So, we must keep arrangements of those in case of emergency. He also laid stress on post-disaster management.

He also put importance on ‘psycho-social’ support to treat the victims so that they could get over the mental trauma which affects after large scale natural disaster.

‘So, we should also keep arrangements for psychological support to help the mentally imbalanced people.’

However, he pointed out to some positive aspects in Bangladesh. Referring to Rana Plaza incident where hundreds of volunteers came forward with their friendly assistance and extended hands to rescue the victims, he said that they have registered volunteers and a friendly community, who come forward in case of any natural disaster.

‘We must utilize our advantages in case of emergency situations,’ he added.

BDST: 2242 HRS, MAY 07, 2015
Shahjahan/SR/RR

** Havoc at home, tears in eyes