Sylhet earthquakes: SCC orders 8 at-risk buildings to be kept vacant

Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) has ordered to keep eight at-risk buildings vacant to limit the damage caused in case of a major earthquake.

The decision came after the city experienced four earthquakes, along with several aftershocks, between 10:30am and 1:58pm yesterday and another light tremor this morning at 4:35am.

Following a list of 24 at-risk buildings, generated after an earthquake in 2016, the city corporation started a cautionary drive this afternoon.

"Of the list, we've ordered six commercial buildings -- Bandabazar area's Madhuban Market, Surma Market, City Super Market and Zindabazar area's Raja Mansion, Mitali Mansion and Samabay Bhaban -- to be kept vacant for 10 days," said Abdul Alim Shah, public relations officer of SCC.

Two other buildings -- Gents Gallery of Zindabazar and a residential building in Ponitula which are reported to have tilted after the earthquakes -- were also ordered to stay vacant for 10 days, the SCC official added.