Dhaka facing the threat of soil liquefaction

Recently, the world has witnessed a devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Indonesia that took away nearly 1,400 lives. Some disturbing video clips have gone viral on social media, depicting how buildings collapsed as soon as the waves hit them. It was because of the saturated soil beneath the buildings. The ground failure through which soil loses strength and stiffness in response to, for example, an earthquake is known as soil liquefaction.

In Dhaka city, numerous studies and press reports have shown how unscrupulous real estate companies and influential individuals continue to encroach on the flood flow zones, wetlands and low lands. They fill up these lands and construct buildings there. Many structures were built just above sand and solid waste, making them very susceptible to soil liquefaction in the event of an earthquake.

Dhaka might face a catastrophe too if RAJUK doesn't reclaim the illegally grabbed lands and put into place a proper land use system.

Jahidul Islam Nahid, University of Dhaka