Behind the successive earthquakes in Bangladesh

Strong earthquakes now occur more frequently within Bangladesh itself, and not just in neighboring India or Myanmar

November 23, 2025, 07:00 AM

Last modified: November 23, 2025, 09:23 AM

Graphic: TBS

“>

Graphic: TBS

On Friday, November 21, the country experienced a powerful 5.7 magnitude earthquake that shook the entire country – an unprecedented event in recent times. But the shock did not end there. Barely within 32 hours, three more mild tremors were felt – measuring 3.3, 3.7 and 4.3 magnitude.

The most disturbing part? They all grew up within the country, in Dhaka or neighboring areas. Friday's earthquake struck Madabdi district in Narsingdi, the second from Pipil, and the last two from Narsingdi and Bada in the capital.

This suggests that strong earthquakes are now occurring more frequently within Bangladesh itself, and not just from neighboring India or Myanmar.

This was not the only earthquake Bangladesh experienced on November 21. According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), 76 earthquakes will hit Bangladesh and neighboring countries in 2025.

Stay informed, follow Business Standard's Google News channel

Seismologists classify the November 21 Narsingdi-Madapdi earthquake as an intraplate event, which is a rupture that occurs within the Indian plate rather than along a plate boundary.

A brief history of earthquakes in Bangladesh

Historically, many of the large shocks felt in what is now Bangladesh originated outside the country, including the 1897 Shillong Earthquake, also known as the Great India Earthquake, the 1950 Assam-Tibet Earthquake, and other powerful tremors in neighboring India and Myanmar that spread into Bengal.

Bangladesh has also witnessed major earthquakes originating within its crust. Notable examples include the Sylhet earthquake of 1642, which destroyed buildings but caused no casualties; The Chattogram-Arakan earthquake of 1762, one of the deadliest in the region, killed about 500 people in Dhaka, submerged villages, caused unusual river floods, and is said to have triggered volcanoes in the Sitakunda Hills; The 1775 and 1812 tremors shook Dhaka and Sylhet but caused minor damage.

Subsequent earthquakes, including the Sitakunda earthquake of 1865, expelled sand and clay from fissures; The approximately 7.0 magnitude Bengal (Manikang) earthquake of 1885; The 1918 Srimangal earthquake, which measured 7.6 on the Richter scale, caused severe structural damage in multiple areas.

Graphic: TBS

“>

Graphic: TBS

Recent events confirm that seismic pressure is still active within the country. Moderate but devastating tremors struck Chattogram in 1997 (magnitude 6) and Moheshkhali in 1999 (magnitude 5.2). The Narsingdi-Madabdi earthquake, like some previous earthquakes, originated along internal fault systems, including the Madhupur fault. Improved seismic monitoring and continuous measurements of plate motion now make these patterns of internal activity more visible, highlighting Bangladesh's increasing vulnerability to earthquakes.

What's playing below?

Bangladesh lies at the intersection of three tectonic bodies – the Indian plate, the Eurasian plate, and the Burma (Myanmar) microplate – making it a very active seismic zone. GPS measurements indicate that many faults are still moving by a few millimeters each year, indicating that stress is continuing to build and could trigger future earthquakes.

The Indian plate is slowly moving northeastward, pressing beneath the Burmese plate and pressing against the Eurasian plate. This movement compresses the Bengal Basin, putting pressure not only on major plate boundaries, but also on faults located within the country, such as the Madhupur Fault, Dawki Fault, and Sylhet-Assam Fault. When these internal faults shift, they generate shallow earthquakes, the energy of which is transmitted through the soft, waterlogged soil that covers much of central Bangladesh.

The eastern part of the country is located near the Arakan subduction zone, where the Indian plate subducts beneath the Burma microplate, an area capable of producing very strong earthquakes. Scientists warn that internal faults and nearby plate boundaries contribute to Bangladesh's vulnerability, underscoring the need for careful monitoring and preparedness.

Some areas are particularly vulnerable: Sylhet division and parts of Mymensingh and Sunamganj near the Duki Fault; Central areas around Dhaka and Tangail near the Madhopur fault; and Chittagong along with surrounding coastal areas near the Chittagong-Myanmar plate boundary.

Tectonic activity beneath Bangladesh is important and worrying.

The Indian plate is slowly moving towards the northeast, sliding beneath the Burmese plate and pressing against the Eurasian plate. This movement compresses the Bengal Basin, putting pressure not only on major plate boundaries but also on internal faults within the country, such as the Madhopur Fault, Dawki Fault, and Sylhet-Assam Fault.

When these internal faults shift, they generate shallow earthquakes, the energy of which passes through the soft, waterlogged soil that covers much of central Bangladesh. This soil amplifies shaking, making even moderate earthquakes more dangerous. Because intraplate earthquakes occur within the plate itself, they often strike without warning in areas where cities and populations are most vulnerable.

Local soil and ground conditions made a moderate earthquake more dangerous for residents. Dhaka lies on thick, soft soil deposited by the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. When earthquake waves pass through these loose, moist layers, they slow down but intensify – a process called site amplification. This lengthens and strengthens the vibration, especially on the upper floors of high-rise buildings, where movement can resonate. As a result, one part of the city may barely feel the earthquake while another area experiences severe tremors. Over-pumping of groundwater has weakened some areas, increasing the risk of liquefaction, as the ground temporarily behaves like a liquid during shaking, making the effects unpredictable.

Infrastructure 'mistakes' in Dhaka

Dhaka's infrastructure exacerbates the risk posed by earthquakes. Authorities identified dozens of high-rise buildings with dangerous slopes or large cracks. At least 50 buildings in the city have been officially classified as damaged, while many others have been closed or evacuated.

Public infrastructure revealed strengths and weaknesses during the earthquake. Dhaka Metro Railway officials noted that the main structures were designed to withstand earthquakes of up to 7 magnitude, but cracks appeared at several stations soon after the quake. This shows that even well-designed structures on paper can perform differently under real vibration, highlighting the gap between planning and practical verification. In addition, narrow streets, crowded buildings, and blocked open spaces made the evacuation very difficult. Field reports indicated that many residents did not have a safe place to gather, turning a moderate earthquake into a serious urban emergency.

From a seismic perspective, the key question is not just that the plates moved this time, they clearly did, but what this movement means for future earthquakes. Intraplate earthquakes, which occur within tectonic plates, release some local stress but can also transfer forces to nearby faults or enclosed segments elsewhere. Bangladesh lies near a large, enclosed portion of the subduction zone between India and Burma, a seismic gap capable of producing a much stronger earthquake if it ruptures.

Experts confirm that Dhaka's vulnerabilities are particularly acute. “The epicenter of the earthquake was very close to Dhaka, that's why we felt it so badly. Even if an earthquake of magnitude 7 or above had occurred in Rangamati or Khagrachari, we do not feel such a strong tremor in Dhaka. However, if this earthquake had lasted for just five to seven seconds, many buildings in Dhaka would have collapsed,” Mohammad Mominul Islam, director (current charge) of BMD, told The Business Standard.

Rubaiyat Kabir, head of BMD's Center for Earthquake Monitoring and Research, added context about the broader seismic risks in the region. He added: “Bangladesh is located on the Indian plate, and is bordered by the Eurasian plate to the north and the Myanmar plate to the east. Earthquakes occur in this region often. Earthquakes like the one occurring today are not frequent, but given the recurrence period of major earthquakes, there is still the possibility of a major event occurring in this region.”

The surveys also highlight how fragile the city's infrastructure is. According to the Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake will collapse 72,000 buildings and cause serious damage to another 1.5 thousand buildings. Old buildings on weak soils and high-rise buildings of more than six floors that were constructed without adhering to building codes will face the greatest risks.

Mohan Kumar Das, a geohazard specialist and joint secretary of the South Asia Meteorological Association, told the media that Bangladesh has witnessed a series of earthquakes in recent years and is now in a particularly “sensitive” state, making it vulnerable to strong or large tremors. He pointed out that the country lacks the necessary tools to monitor the movements of tectonic plates and identify areas at high risk. “With proper monitoring, we can identify areas that have become earthquake-prone and take preventive measures,” he said, stressing the need for cooperation between operational agencies and academic researchers to better understand seismic risks.

Das also stressed that many of the victims of Friday's earthquake occurred because people were not aware of immediate safety measures. He stressed the importance of public education on earthquake preparedness and suggested that fire services, community groups and volunteers play a key role in raising awareness.

Dhaka's high population density, poorly constructed high-rise buildings, slums, narrow streets and waterlogged soil all exacerbate the danger. Experts estimate that in the event of a major earthquake, financial losses could exceed $1 billion in transportation, $887 million in water and sewer systems, and $27.1 million in electricity infrastructure. Unlike highly earthquake-prone areas like Japan or California, Bangladesh lacks widespread public awareness, regular emergency drills, and an effective disaster response system – making the city highly vulnerable to disasters.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos