Prepared for risks?

A team led by Vice Chancellor with concerned engineers visited the extension of Zahurul Haq Hall, Dhaka University on 16/05/2013 after a sudden fall of ceiling plaster from beams and drop walls which created panic among students who resided there leaving none injured. It was advised to demolish all the weak portions. Dr. Ishtiaque Ahmed, a specialist from BUET also visited the area and recognized the building as risky and advised to remove weak points of the drop wall.

Living in danger

Although the building was considered risky, the students were not evacuated from the place rather they live there even today considering all risks of sudden collapse. The concerned authority took awareness programs immediately among the students.

The students were asked to move gently and live decent life there. The specialists recommended the use of fan as a danger as it creates vibration which may lead to weaken the structure more and bring collapse. The engineering section of Dhaka University used steel prop as a precaution to hold the roof as a temporary safeguard. According to the advice of the specialists the weak parts were repaired. But extensive action could not be taken as it can endanger the whole structure. Afterwards, the specialists from Bureau of Research and Testing Centre, BUET were given the responsibility to assess the risks and strengthening the structural parts which required repair.

The authority has been asked simultaneously to assess the old buildings and do repair works immediately considering the risks. But the authority is not fully aware of the risks. The concerned hall authority is also not attentive to the matter.

Observation reveals roots of trees on wall, garbage on the roof; sun shed and dumps wall which are harmful for a structure. Moreover, the university hasn't fund enough to do the proper maintenance and repair work. That's why students have to live with the danger.

Dhaka University is one of the oldest universities in Bangladesh with many heritage structures and old buildings. Most of these buildings are brick masonry structures which are most vulnerable for earthquake. A method known as retrofitting is used for the heritage buildings for safety measures. The others need regular observation and maintenance.

The concerned authority has said about lack of fund which is very important for repair works. The user's employees also lack in monitoring and supervision.

Therefore, the university authority should give proper attention to the matter. Sudden preparedness like fitting steel prop or other methods in old weak structures may bring massive danger. The heritage buildings should be kept intact with proper care. The old masonry buildings should be assessed immediately and taken action accordingly. If the structures seem to be risky then the place should be evacuated and proper maintenance work should be done.