Hundreds of multistory buildings in Rajshahi have come under renewed scrutiny after a recent earthquake exposed serious safety concerns. Many structures were reportedly built without adhering to Bangladesh’s building code, lacking proper fire safety systems and constructed too close to one another. The Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) faces criticism for alleged corruption and negligence in approving building designs, with claims that political influence enabled unauthorized projects. Following the quake, Sher-e-Bangla Fazlul Haque Hall at Rajshahi University developed major cracks, prompting student protests demanding relocation and repairs. Authorities have begun inspections to verify fire exits and soil tests for high-rise buildings, while experts warn of potential disasters similar to the Rana Plaza collapse if enforcement remains weak. Civic groups are urging strict legal action and accountability to prevent future tragedies in the earthquake-prone region.

The National Revolutionary Council (NRC) has called for immediate structural reforms in Bangladesh to prevent the country from turning into a mass grave in the event of a major earthquake. In a statement issued on Friday, NRC convener Khomeni Ihsan expressed deep sorrow over casualties from the recent quake and warned that unplanned urbanization and weak enforcement of building codes have left cities dangerously exposed. He emphasized that Bangladesh lies in a high-risk seismic zone and that unregulated high-rise construction, often facilitated by corruption, has turned major cities into concrete jungles. Ihsan urged the government to act swiftly, citing the nation’s poor disaster response capacity as seen in past tragedies. The NRC proposed five key measures, including identifying and reinforcing vulnerable buildings, enforcing the National Building Code with zero tolerance, upgrading fire and civil defense technology, ensuring open spaces for post-quake shelters, and introducing automatic gas and power shutdown systems to prevent fires.

At least five people, including a father and his son, were killed and more than a hundred injured after an earthquake struck Narsingdi, Bangladesh, on Friday morning. The tremor, felt across the country at 10:38 a.m., caused widespread panic as residents rushed to safety. In Gabtoli, a six-story under-construction building’s wall collapsed onto a one-story house, killing Delwar Hossain and his son Omar Faruk. In Palash upazila, an elderly woman named Kajom Ali died when a mud wall fell on her, while another man, Nasir Uddin, suffered a fatal heart attack from shock. A man named Forkan died after falling from a tree during the quake. Several buildings, including a seven-story shopping mall in Ghorashal, developed cracks, and parts of walls collapsed, causing further damage. Police and local authorities have visited affected areas, confirming casualties and ensuring safety measures for residents.

The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry of Bangladesh has opened a control room to coordinate assessment and response efforts following strong earthquakes felt across the country on Friday morning. Advisor Faruk E Azam, Bir Protik, directed officials to immediately evaluate the extent of damage in affected areas. The ministry stated that all relevant departments have been instructed to closely monitor the situation and report findings promptly for necessary action. Citizens have been urged to stay alert, avoid rumors, and contact the control room at 0258811651 for assistance. The government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring public safety. According to reports, at least six people have died and many others were injured due to the tremors felt in Dhaka and other regions.

The Bangladesh Weather Observation Team (BWOT) has issued new information regarding a potential cyclone forming over the southeast Andaman Sea and adjoining areas. In a Facebook post on Friday, November 21, BWOT stated that a circulation has developed in the region and may intensify into a low-pressure system within the next 24 to 48 hours. The system could further strengthen into a cyclone, though it is still uncertain whether it will make landfall in Bangladesh. BWOT noted that a clearer forecast on the cyclone’s potential path will be available in three to four days. However, the system’s influence may bring rainfall to various parts of Bangladesh toward the end of the month. In a separate update, BWOT mentioned that despite the onset of cooler weather, there is little chance of a strong cold wave in November. Temperatures are expected to fluctuate, with the country experiencing alternating warm and cool conditions until a full cold wave arrives.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has issued a warning about the possibility of a major earthquake following a 5.7 magnitude tremor that struck the country on Friday morning. The quake, originating in Madhabdi, Narsingdi, was felt across Dhaka and several districts, causing the deaths of seven people and injuring more than fifty. Rubaiyat Kabir, acting officer of the Seismic Observation Center, described it as the strongest earthquake in recent decades near Dhaka. He cautioned that Bangladesh lies in a seismically active zone, making future large quakes possible though their timing cannot be predicted. Seismologist Humayun Akhter recalled previous significant quakes, including one in 2003 near Rangamati and an 8.0 magnitude event in 1918. He criticized the government for inadequate preparedness and urged regular earthquake drills, noting that despite large budgets for disaster response, corruption and inaction persist.

A fire broke out at a plastic warehouse in Sonargaon’s Pirojpur area of Narayanganj after an earthquake was felt on Friday morning. The blaze, which occurred near the Pirojpur Union Parishad, destroyed stored goods before being brought under control after an hour-long effort by the Gazaria Fire Service. The tremor also caused structural damage in several parts of Sonargaon, including cracks in houses and collapsed walls in Ichhapara village. In Kabirganj, a 32-year-old man named Rakesh Roy was seriously injured when a wall fell on him and was later admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. In another incident, a 17-year-old madrasa student, Maruf Hossain, was injured after jumping from a second floor in panic. Additionally, eight factory workers were hurt while evacuating an industrial facility in Kanchpur. Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake and subsequent fire.

Several buildings, including a school, in Siddhirganj, Narayanganj, developed major cracks following an earthquake on Friday, November 21. Walls, columns, and staircases in residential and institutional structures were damaged, with some buildings visibly leaning. No casualties or injuries have been reported so far. Panic spread among residents as buildings shook, prompting many to rush outdoors. The affected areas include Housing, Hirajhil, Al Islamnagar, and Roni City neighborhoods, where multiple buildings suffered significant structural damage. The City International School building also developed large cracks during a scholarship exam, though students were safely evacuated. Local authorities, police, fire service, and engineers have begun emergency inspections to assess the extent of damage and determine whether buildings are safe for habitation. Residents have been advised to avoid entering risky structures. Experts are calling for a thorough safety assessment to prevent potential collapse or further damage.

Students at Rajshahi University’s Sher-e-Bangla Fazlul Haque Hall have alleged that part of their dormitory tilted after a recent earthquake, sparking panic and protests over safety concerns. Cracks reportedly appeared on the building’s walls, prompting hundreds of residents to gather at the hall’s main gate and later march to the vice-chancellor’s residence, demanding relocation to a safer facility. University officials, including the pro-vice-chancellor and the proctor, visited the site and assured students that a technical team would assess the hall’s structural integrity. Built in 1962, the hall is considered structurally weak, with no reinforced concrete columns and visible damage to ceilings and walls. Authorities acknowledged the building’s risky condition and said an emergency meeting would decide whether to declare it abandoned and how to rehouse the 300 affected students. The hall provost urged patience, emphasizing that student safety would be prioritized in upcoming administrative decisions.

A 10-year-old boy named Omar was killed and his father, Uzzal, critically injured when a wall of their rented home in Gabtoli, Narsingdi, collapsed during an earthquake on Friday morning, November 21. Both were initially rescued and taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) due to their critical condition. Doctors at DMCH declared Omar dead upon arrival, while his father was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). According to Omar’s uncle, the father and son were inside their home when the wall suddenly gave way, trapping them underneath. Omar was a student at a madrasa’s Hifz section, and his father worked as an office assistant at the National Housing Authority. The family, originally from Pakundia in Kishoreganj, had been living in a rented house in Narsingdi. Police confirmed that Omar’s body is being kept at the DMCH morgue while his father remains under treatment.

At least 18 people, including students and children, were injured after an earthquake struck various parts of Dhaka on Friday morning. The tremor was felt around 10:45 a.m., causing panic in several neighborhoods. By noon, the injured were rescued from different locations and taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment. Hospital authorities confirmed that all victims are currently under medical care. The injured include men, women, and children aged between 6 and 60. Police officials at the DMCH camp verified the incident and stated that no fatalities had been reported from the capital as of yet. The earthquake was also felt in other districts, where reports indicate at least seven deaths. Authorities are assessing the extent of damage and monitoring aftershock risks while urging residents to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines.

A powerful earthquake caused widespread power outages across Bangladesh, including in Dhaka, after several power plants were forced to shut down or reduce production. The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) confirmed that the Bibiyana-2 (Summit) 341 MW, Ashuganj 55 MW, and Ashuganj 50 MW plants were completely shut during the quake. Additionally, a 600 MW unit of SS Power went offline, while Bibiyana-3, Ashuganj 225 MW, and Sirajganj 225 MW plants reduced output. BPDB officials also reported disruptions at the Ghorashal AIS grid substation due to fire, broken insulators, and other technical issues, which led to further disconnections in several regions. The BPDB stated that restoration efforts are underway to normalize power supply as quickly as possible, though some areas remain without electricity.

The northern district of Panchagarh is experiencing an increasing chill as winter sets in earlier than usual. On Friday, November 21, the Tetulia Weather Observatory recorded a temperature of 14.9°C at 6 a.m., with humidity at 98%, making the cold feel more intense. Although dense fog was absent, the early morning hours in Tetulia, Debiganj, Boda, Atwari, and Panchagarh Sadar saw a noticeable drop in temperature. The weather office reported that for the past week, the district’s minimum temperature has hovered around 14°C, with Thursday’s 13.9°C being the lowest in the country. Meteorologist Jitendranath Roy from Tetulia Weather Station said temperatures are expected to fall further next week, and by early December, winter will firmly settle across northern Bangladesh.

Following a 5.7-magnitude earthquake that shook Bangladesh on Friday, BUET civil engineering professor Mehedi Ahmed Ansary has urged immediate inspection of Dhaka’s 2.1 million buildings, calling the tremor a possible foreshock of a larger seismic event. The quake, centered in Narsingdi’s Madhabdi area, caused panic, structural cracks, and six reported deaths in Dhaka, Narayanganj, and Narsingdi. Ansary warned that a stronger earthquake could devastate up to 35% of Dhaka’s structures and cause hundreds of thousands of casualties. He proposed that RAJUK certify buildings based on compliance with construction codes without requiring government expenditure. The professor recommended a color-coded classification system—similar to those used in the US, India, and Japan—to identify and repair vulnerable buildings. Citing the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse as a reminder of potential disaster, he emphasized that proactive inspection and certification could significantly reduce future risks.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has expressed deep sorrow and condolences following the deaths and injuries caused by a 5.7-magnitude earthquake that struck various parts of the country, including Dhaka, on Friday morning. In a condolence message, he prayed for the departed souls and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved families. At least five people, including a child, have been confirmed dead, while nearly a hundred others were injured in incidents related to the quake in Dhaka, Gazipur, Narsingdi, and other areas. Dr. Yunus wished the injured a speedy recovery and instructed all relevant departments to intensify rescue and relief operations in the affected regions. He assured that the government is closely monitoring the situation and collecting detailed reports on the damage. The earthquake’s epicenter was located in Madhabdi, Narsingdi. Dr. Yunus expressed confidence that the people of Bangladesh would face this disaster with patience and courage.