Govt Orders Rapid Nationwide Quake Damage Assessment

The government has directed all relevant agencies to launch an urgent, countrywide assessment of damage following the powerful earthquake that rattled Dhaka and several other regions on Friday morning.

Bir Protik Faruk E Azam, Adviser to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, issued the instruction after the tremor caused widespread panic and reports of structural damage in multiple districts. The directive was announced in a press release issued by the ministry on Saturday.

According to the release, the ministry has been closely monitoring the situation since the quake, which was felt across large parts of Bangladesh and prompted residents to evacuate buildings in fear. Authorities have been gathering initial information from district administrations, local disaster response units, and other field-level officials.

Faruk E Azam has ordered all concerned departments to begin immediate on-site inspections to identify damaged structures, assess risks to public safety, and evaluate the need for relief measures. The ministry stated that once the assessments are completed, the findings will be compiled and appropriate actions will be taken without delay.

To coordinate the nationwide effort, an emergency control room has been activated at the Disaster Management Department. The control room can be reached at 02-58811651, and the public has been encouraged to use the hotline to report emergencies or seek assistance.

The ministry urged citizens to remain calm, stay alert, and refrain from spreading rumours or misinformation that could fuel panic. It reiterated that the government is fully committed to safeguarding lives and property and will provide continuous updates as the situation develops.