A devastating earthquake struck Myanmar’s Mandalay region last Friday, leaving a trail of destruction and loss of life. The death toll has now exceeded 2,000, with over 3,900 people injured and 270 still missing. The Myanmar military leadership has announced a period of national mourning, with the national flag to be flown at half-mast for seven days.
The powerful quake, which measured 7.7 magnitude, was followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock, causing widespread damage and casualties not only in Myanmar but also in neighboring countries. Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and southwest China all felt the strong tremors, with a significant impact on the region.
Rescue operations are underway in Myanmar, with international relief efforts mobilized to address the dire needs of the affected population. Several countries, including India, Russia, the UAE, and the United Nations, have sent specialist search and rescue teams alongside humanitarian aid. The UN has issued an urgent appeal for $8 million in aid, warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country, where hospitals are damaged and overwhelmed.
India has launched Operation Brahma to aid rescue and relief work, providing tonnes of ration, tents, and medicines. Indian rescue teams are working to extend critical support in the search for survivors and medical humanitarian assistance. The Embassy of India in Yangon has announced that more aid and support is on the way to Mandalay and Yangon.
Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has reported 36 aftershocks, with magnitudes ranging from 2.8 to 7.5, occurring until this morning. In neighboring Thailand, 19 people have been reported dead, and thousands have been evacuated from cracked buildings in Bangkok. Rescue efforts are still ongoing in the Thai capital, where 75 construction workers remain trapped under the rubble of a collapsed high-rise building.
As the scale of the disaster becomes clearer, the importance of international cooperation and humanitarian aid is evident. It remains vital that the global community works together to support the people of Myanmar and Thailand, providing vital assistance and relief in the face of this unprecedented tragedy.
Original Source: https://www.newsonair.gov.in/myanmar-earthquake-death-toll-crosses-2000/
Category : International
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Publish Date: 2025-03-31 18:29:00
