Popular Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmadullah has described the recent series of earthquakes in Bangladesh as a profound warning rather than mere geological activity. In a Facebook post, he urged citizens to combine practical disaster preparedness with spiritual reflection and collective repentance, emphasizing that divine mercy is essential for true safety. Ahmadullah criticized the government’s inadequate disaster readiness, citing a lack of trained rescue workers, heavy equipment, and effective urban planning. He also condemned widespread corruption and wasteful spending on political events and unnecessary projects, arguing that such funds should be redirected toward earthquake-resistant infrastructure, rescue training, and emergency planning. The scholar further called on individuals to follow building codes and avoid constructing unsafe structures for short-term profit. He urged the government to develop a comprehensive national roadmap for disaster management, including rescue operations, medical care, shelter, and communication systems, while reminding society to maintain both physical and spiritual preparedness.

Following a series of mild earthquakes felt across Bangladesh last weekend, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus convened an emergency meeting with top scientists, researchers, and university professors to assess the situation and formulate an action plan. Experts assured that there is no immediate cause for panic but emphasized the need for preparedness and public awareness. The government announced plans to form expert committees and task forces to evaluate building safety, hospital readiness, and public awareness programs. Participants highlighted the importance of combating misinformation on social media and involving youth in disaster preparedness initiatives. The Public Works Department has already begun assessing structural damage using specialized software. The Chief Adviser urged coordination with Bangladeshi scientists abroad through the ‘Shubhechha’ app and called for written recommendations from experts to guide immediate government actions. The meeting concluded with a decision to finalize a national earthquake preparedness strategy based on expert input.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Bangladesh has released the draft of the Saint Martin Master Plan and the draft directive on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic waste management 2025 for public review. The Saint Martin Master Plan aims to regulate uncontrolled tourism, protect the fragile environment, and ensure sustainable management of the ecologically sensitive island. The draft is available on the ministry’s official website, and stakeholders, including ministries, agencies, and the public, have been invited to submit written feedback via email to env2@moefcc.gov.bd by December 20, 2024. Similarly, opinions on the EPR directive draft can be sent to env3@moefcc.gov.bd by December 20, 2025. The ministry expects that collective input will help finalize effective and practical strategies to safeguard the island’s coastal ecosystem and address the country’s growing plastic waste challenges.

Authorities have announced the indefinite closure of the Madhyapara Stone Mine in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, following widespread fear among workers after a series of recent earthquakes in Bangladesh. The decision was made late Sunday night after workers expressed hesitation to enter underground shafts during the morning shift. The Belarusian contracting company and mine management jointly decided to halt operations and informed Petrobangla, which approved the suspension after a tripartite discussion. The mine’s Managing Director, D.M. Zobaid Hossain, confirmed that the closure was prompted by safety concerns and the psychological impact of recent tremors that caused fatalities elsewhere in the country. Workers have been granted leave until further notice while authorities assess safety conditions before resuming operations. The shutdown underscores the growing anxiety over seismic activity and its implications for industrial safety in Bangladesh’s northern region.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus convened an emergency meeting with experts and officials in Dhaka on November 24 to discuss earthquake preparedness, coordination, and rapid response mechanisms. The meeting followed a series of four tremors that struck Dhaka and surrounding areas between November 21 and 22, the strongest measuring 5.7 magnitude. The quakes caused panic, structural damage, and led to the deaths of 10 people, including a child, while over 600 others were injured. Narsingdi reported the highest fatalities with five deaths, followed by four in Dhaka and one in Narayanganj. Experts warned that these tremors could signal a larger impending earthquake, urging authorities to strengthen disaster readiness and public awareness. The Chief Adviser emphasized the need for immediate coordination among relevant agencies to minimize risks and ensure effective emergency response.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of Bangladesh has published the draft master plan for St. Martin’s Island on its official website, inviting public and institutional feedback by December 20. The plan aims to regulate uncontrolled tourism, ensure environmental protection, and promote sustainable management of the ecologically vulnerable island. Additionally, the ministry has also sought opinions on the draft guidelines for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) concerning plastic waste management 2025, with submissions due by December 20, 2025. Authorities expect that collective input from ministries, agencies, stakeholders, and the public will help finalize effective and realistic strategies to safeguard the island’s coastal ecosystem and address the country’s growing plastic waste challenges.

Following a series of recent earthquakes in Dhaka, the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) has identified around 300 buildings as vulnerable to seismic risks. RAJUK Chairman Riazul Islam announced the findings during a seminar on earthquake preparedness held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh. He emphasized that without coordinated efforts among government agencies, managing post-earthquake situations would be extremely difficult. Islam urged all stakeholders, including city corporations and the fire service, to work together to reduce risks. He also clarified that RAJUK approves building plans only when they comply with regulations and does not engage in any financial irregularities. The chairman further noted that property owners are responsible for ensuring their buildings meet safety standards, and violations should result in penalties for them, not RAJUK. He criticized the lack of coordination among RAJUK, city corporations, and the fire service, which he said has led to disorder in urban management.

According to a new World Bank report titled 'From Risk to Resilience: Helping People and Institutions Adapt in South Asia,' the region’s densely populated countries, including Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, are projected to become the world’s most climate-vulnerable areas by 2030. The report highlights that nearly 90 percent of Bangladesh’s population will face severe climate risks within the next five years due to rising temperatures, devastating floods, and increasing salinity in coastal zones. These impacts are expected to severely affect rural economies, agriculture, and employment, while also heightening household-level vulnerabilities. Environment Secretary Farhina Ahmed emphasized that combating climate risks requires significant investment in energy, infrastructure, and data systems. She noted that while Bangladesh has several climate adaptation policies, implementing them remains a major challenge. Ongoing pilot projects and inter-departmental coordination efforts are underway to strengthen national resilience strategies.

A three-member team from Bangladesh’s Geological Survey, led by Deputy Director (Geology) Mohammad Anisur Rahman, inspected the Madhabdi area of Narsingdi following recent earthquakes. The team found that cracks in the ground appeared mainly in areas that were once ponds or wetlands later filled with loose sand. Rahman explained that the phenomenon, known as soil liquefaction, occurs when seismic waves cause water from nearby ponds to infiltrate sandy layers, reducing the soil’s load-bearing capacity and leading to surface collapse. He assured that the shallow cracks pose no immediate danger and can be easily filled, though buildings constructed on reclaimed land may face structural risks. Rahman added that the tremors are likely aftershocks of the 5.5 magnitude quake. Another official, Sohel Rana, noted that Bangladesh lies in a geologically complex tectonic zone, making earthquake prediction difficult, and warned that moderate to strong quakes may continue in the region.

In Sandwip, Chattogram, BNP’s Moshapur Union General Secretary Idris Alam has been accused of illegally clearing large portions of coastal forest in the Mogdhara area to occupy government land. Locals allege that Idris and his followers have been cutting mangrove trees at night for weeks and smuggling the timber to nearby regions, including Hatiya and Subarnachar. The deforestation has reportedly endangered the island’s main coastal embankment, increasing the risk of river erosion and environmental degradation. Despite repeated complaints, the forest department and local administration have allegedly remained inactive. Idris claims ownership of the land but has failed to produce legal documents. Forest officials deny his claims, stating that cutting trees without permission violates the Forest Act of 1927 and the Environmental Conservation Act of 1995. The Upazila administration has announced an investigation, warning of legal action if the allegations are proven. The destroyed forest was part of a coastal greenbelt project established after the 1991 cyclone to protect the shoreline.

Following a series of mild tremors in Bangladesh after a 5.7-magnitude quake, global attention has turned to countries with minimal earthquake risk. According to seismic data, nations far from major tectonic fault lines experience very few or no natural earthquakes. Among them, Chad and Niger in Central Africa face extremely low seismic risk, though they remain vulnerable to floods, droughts, and wildfires. Similarly, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso in West Africa rarely experience quakes but contend with climate-related hazards. In Europe, Finland, Denmark, Latvia, and Ireland are among the safest countries, with fault lines located over 1,000 kilometers away. Finland occasionally experiences minor, human-induced tremors due to mining activities. The Bahamas, though distant from the Caribbean fault line, faces coastal flooding and hurricanes. In South America, Uruguay’s distance from major fault zones makes earthquakes rare, though flooding remains a concern. These nations exemplify regions where seismic stability contrasts with other environmental risks.

The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat, Bangladesh, is deteriorating rapidly due to rising salinity and the impacts of climate change. Cracks, peeling lime plaster, and salt deposits are visible on the mosque’s walls, domes, and especially the mihrab. Studies by Khulna University, the National Geographic Society, and ICOMOS reveal that temperature rise, industrial pollution, monsoon humidity, and groundwater salinity are accelerating the damage. The Department of Archaeology has formed a five-member expert committee led by former Director General Dr. Md. Shafiqul Alam to assess the structure, which found the mihrab at risk of collapse. Corrosion in iron clamps has weakened the building’s load-bearing capacity. Regional Director Lovely Yasmin stated that with UNESCO’s assistance, a detailed decay map will be created, and international experts will join urgent conservation efforts. Experts warn that without immediate action, the mosque could be declared an ‘endangered world heritage site,’ posing a significant cultural loss for Bangladesh.

Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural disasters, often triggering tsunamis and landslides. Several countries face frequent seismic activity due to their location along tectonic plate boundaries. Japan tops the list as it lies within the Pacific 'Ring of Fire', where it experiences constant tectonic movement. The country has developed advanced seismic monitoring systems and early warning networks. Indonesia, also on the Ring of Fire, endures multiple high-magnitude earthquakes annually, often accompanied by volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. China has a tragic history of deadly quakes, including the 2008 Sichuan disaster that killed tens of thousands. The Philippines faces similar risks due to its mountainous terrain and frequent storms, which heighten landslide dangers. Iran, located on several fault lines, regularly experiences destructive quakes, such as the 1990 Gilan event that claimed over 40,000 lives. Despite these risks, all five nations have strengthened disaster preparedness and public awareness to mitigate earthquake impacts.

Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon expressed deep concern over Delhi’s alarming air pollution levels while promoting her upcoming film 'Tere Ishq Mein'. Speaking at the event, she noted that the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) had exceeded 430, posing severe health risks. Sanon said the toxic air quality has become a serious issue that demands immediate attention. The worsening pollution has already disrupted several film shoots in Delhi, including the postponement of her film 'Cocktail 2', which also stars Shahid Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna. The actress urged authorities and citizens to take collective responsibility and implement effective measures before the situation deteriorates further. Kriti Sanon will next appear opposite South Indian actor Dhanush in director Aanand L. Rai’s 'Tere Ishq Mein'.

A road in Kotalipara upazila of Gopalganj has collapsed into a canal after dredging work was carried out using heavy machinery without draining the water, sparking public concern and criticism. The project, funded by the Asian Development Bank and implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board, was meant to be executed through water drainage excavation. However, contractor Ataur Rahman Khan Ltd used dredgers instead, causing erosion that damaged roads connecting Majhbari and Bongkura villages. Locals, including students of nearby schools and madrasas, now face severe travel disruptions and safety risks. Residents accuse the contractor and supervising engineers of negligence and corruption, alleging that similar irregularities are occurring in other canal projects in the area. Officials from the Water Development Board and local administration have acknowledged the issue and promised prompt repairs. The incident highlights growing frustration over mismanagement in rural infrastructure projects.