New Delhi, March 29 -- 5.1 Aftershock Strikes Near Myanmar's Naypyidaw Following Major Quakes

Just a day after a series of powerful earthquakes ravaged Myanmar, claiming over a thousand lives, the nation was struck by another 5.1-magnitude tremor on Saturday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The latest seismic activity occurred near Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw, around 2.50 p.m., at a depth of 10 km. The full extent of damage and potential casualties from this new tremor, which impacted the same regions affected by Friday's earthquakes, remains unclear. Following the initial quake near Sagaing, the region experienced 12 aftershocks, ranging from 2.8 to 7.5 in magnitude, further exacerbating the already dire situation. Mandalay, Bago, Magway, northeastern Shan State, Sagaing, and Naypyidaw have been identified as the hardest-hit areas, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Myanmar government has declared a national emergency as rescue teams work tirelessly to provide assistance. Damage to crucial infrastructure, including the Yangon-Mandalay highway near Naypyidaw and Mandalay, has significantly hindered relief efforts. People are now utilizing the older Yangon-Mandalay road to reach affected areas and aid in rescue operations. The collapse of buildings at Mandalay Airport and sections of the highway has also severed vital transport links between Myanmar's two largest cities. Rescue teams, including fire service personnel from lower Myanmar, have reached severely affected areas such as Naypyidaw and Mandalay. However, damaged infrastructure, power outages, and disrupted communication networks are posing significant challenges to their efforts.

7.7 Magnitude Quake Strikes Myanmar

Myanmar has been rocked by a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that has left over 1,000 dead and thousands injured. The earthquake struck near the country's second-largest city, Mandalay, on Friday, causing widespread destruction, collapsing buildings, buckling roads, and bursting a dam. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed that multiple aftershocks followed, with one registering 6.4 in magnitude.

The military-led government of Myanmar announced on Saturday that 1,002 people had been confirmed dead, with 2,376 injured and 30 still missing. Officials warned that the numbers could rise as rescue teams continued to search through the rubble.

Destruction and Humanitarian Crisis

The earthquake caused the collapse of buildings at Mandalay Airport and significant damage to the Yangon-Mandalay highway, making relief operations even more difficult. People are using the older Yangon-Mandalay road to reach affected areas. The destruction of vital transport links has hampered rescue efforts between Myanmar's two largest cities. Myanmar is already dealing with a prolonged and bloody civil war, which has complicated the humanitarian crisis. The ongoing conflict makes movement across the country difficult and dangerous, further complicating rescue and relief efforts.

India's Aid to Myanmar

India is sending a contingent of 80 NDRF personnel for aiding relief and rescue work in earthquake-hit Myanmar, officials here said on Saturday. Personnel of the federal disaster contingency force are being deployed under Operation Brahma, with quake rescue equipment such as strong concrete cutters, drill machines, hammers, plasma cutting machines etc to provide succour to the neighbouring country. "A team of 80 NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) personnel are being sent to Myanmar aboard two IAF (Indian Air Force) sorties from Hindon in Ghaziabad. Both teams are expected to reach Nay Pyi Taw by Saturday evening," an official told media reporters.

Commandant PK Tiwary of the 8th NDRF battalion based in Ghaziabad near Delhi is leading the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team. NDRF Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Mohsen Shahedi told reporters during a press conference organised by the external affairs ministry that the next 24-48 hours were "very crucial" for the force to get "gainfully engaged" and for their "active involvement" on ground. He said a third team of the force had been kept on standby in Kolkata and it could be airlifted to Myanmar as soon as required. The two NDRF teams reaching Myanmar are also taking along four rescue dogs for the collapsed structure search and rescue operation being undertaken according to International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) norms, the officials said. India has deployed NDRF personnel abroad on two previous occasions -- during the 2015 Nepal earthquake and the 2023 Turkiye quake. Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand were rocked by a high-intensity earthquake on Friday, destroying buildings, bridges and other structures. At least 1,002 people were killed in Myanmar, according to reports. About 15 tonnes of relief material was sent by India on Saturday to the Myanmarese city of Yangon on a C130J military transport aircraft of the IAF.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed concern over the devastating earthquake and said India stood ready to offer all possible assistance to the two countries. India shares a 1,643-kilometre-long border with Myanmar on the eastern side. Commandant P K Tiwary of the 8th NDRF battalion based in Ghaziabad near Delhi will lead the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team. The team is also taking along rescue dogs for collapsed structure search and rescue operations, following International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) norms. India has previously deployed NDRF abroad during the 2015 Nepal earthquake and the 2023 Turkiye earthquake. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern over the earthquake's devastation and reaffirmed India's commitment to providing all possible assistance to Myanmar and Thailand.

International Aid and Relief Efforts

China has dispatched a 37-member team from Yunnan province equipped with earthquake detectors, drones, and medical supplies. Russia has sent two planes carrying 120 rescuers and relief materials. Additionally, Malaysia will send 50 personnel to help identify and provide aid to the worst-affected areas. The United Nations has allocated $5 million for initial relief efforts.

Impact in Thailand

The earthquake's tremors were felt in neighboring Thailand, particularly in the greater Bangkok area, home to 17 million people. Bangkok city authorities reported six deaths, 26 injuries, and 47 missing individuals, mostly from a collapsed high-rise construction site near Chatuchak market. Rescuers are still searching for survivors as heavy equipment is being used to clear the rubble.

Continued Search and Hope for Survivors

As families await news of their missing loved ones, hopes are dwindling. Many, like 45-year-old Naruemol Thonglek, have expressed their anguish as they search for relatives who were at the construction site when the quake struck. Myanmar's government has urged blood donations in the hardest-hit areas and confirmed its readiness to accept foreign aid, a rare move for the military-led administration.

The crisis in Myanmar remains dire, with ongoing rescue efforts facing severe obstacles. The full scale of the disaster is yet to unfold as more bodies are pulled from the rubble, and officials continue to assess the damage.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.