She directed the authorities concerned to identify the buildings in Dhaka and other major cities constructed without following the building code and make the residents aware of the risk of those buildings.

She said an effective earthquake management and rescue system would require involving people and all ministries and departments concerned.

Khaleda said steps should be taken to minimise the risks of buildings constructed shoddily. She also instructed that the code must be followed strictly in construction.

She asked for speedy completion of the work on seismic centers in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Rangpur.

The prime minister was presiding over a high-level meeting at her office on the possible risk of earthquakes and preparedness to face such situations.

The meeting was called against the backdrop of a train of recent tremors that jolted Chittagong and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Public Works and Housing Minister Mirza Abbas told the meeting that the existing building code was not followed in many cases of high-rise construction in Dhaka.

Director of Geological Survey of Bangladesh (GSB) Mir Fazlul Karim presented a paper on earthquake risks in Bangladesh and different preparedness measures.

Khaleda stressed raising massive public awareness about earthquakes so that the loss of life and property could be reduced through individual, collective and institutional initiatives.

She said the departments concerned should be alert and prepared to face any eventuality instantly.

Disaster Management Secretary BMM Majharul Huq told the meet ing that a strong volunteer corps has already been formed to face earthquakes. They will be given proper training, he added.

Khaleda also suggested introducing auto-shut mechanism at power, water and gas supply stations during any natural disaster to reduce the extent of damage.

She further stressed the need for building wider roads having emergency lanes so that fire service and rescue vehicles could move easily during any emergency.

Khaleda laid importance on exchange of earthquake information and experience at regional and international levels.

Disaster Management and Relief Minister Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf, State Minister for Energy AKM Mosharraf Hossain, Deputy Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Asadul Habib Dulu, chiefs of departments concerned were present at the meeting.