Devastating earthquake in Myanmar leaves over a 100 dead , rescue work in full swing

 

Myanmar was rocked by six consecutive earthquakes on Friday, with the most powerful registering a magnitude of 7.7 on the Richter scale. The tremors caused widespread devastation, leaving at least 144 people dead and 732 injured. Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise further. In response, Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has declared a state of emergency and is appealing to all nations and humanitarian organizations for assistance. The tremors were also felt in Thailand, where a partially constructed high-rise collapsed, trapping 117 people and killing eight. However, the destruction in Myanmar is far more severe.

Already ravaged by civil conflict, Myanmar now faces additional hardship due to the earthquake. The capital, Naypyidaw, is among the worst-affected areas. According to the National Center for Seismology, the first tremor struck at 11:50 AM IST, originating 12 kilometers north of Burma, Myanmar. This was followed by five more earthquakes and multiple aftershocks, which reduced homes, monuments, and even mosques to rubble. Hundreds of trees were uprooted, roads and bridges cracked, and power lines and mobile towers collapsed, cutting off communication in several areas. Given Myanmar's ongoing internal strife, the full extent of the damage remains unclear, with many affected areas yet to report any updates. The U.S. Geological Survey has warned that the death toll could exceed a thousand based on the intensity of the tremors. The financial losses are expected to be enormous, with the Red Cross cautioning that Myanmar’s major dams may have sustained cracks, raising concerns of potential flooding.

The epicenter of the quake was just 17.2 kilometers from Mandalay, where entire buildings have crumbled, trapping numerous people. The 90-year-old Ava Bridge over the Irrawaddy River has collapsed, along with a highway bridge and a railway bridge on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway. Mandalay’s historic palace has also suffered significant damage. According to Red Cross official Marie Manrique, critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and government buildings, has been severely affected. The organization is particularly concerned about Myanmar’s dams, warning that a collapse could escalate the disaster further. In response, Myanmar’s government has appealed for international aid. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that New Delhi is ready to provide any necessary assistance.

The tremors were also felt in northern Thailand, prompting the suspension of metro and rail services in Bangkok. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra canceled his scheduled visit to Phuket and convened an emergency meeting with top officials. Following this, Bangkok was placed under a state of emergency. A construction site collapse in the city resulted in the deaths of eight people.

China’s Yunnan province also experienced tremors, with its earthquake monitoring center reporting a magnitude of 7.9. However, no casualties were reported. The earthquake was felt as far as Kolkata and parts of Manipur in India, where it measured 4.4 on the Richter scale. Dhaka and Chattogram in Bangladesh, as well as parts of Vietnam, also experienced aftershocks.

Earthquakes are not uncommon in Myanmar. Between 1930 and 1956, the country experienced six earthquakes with magnitudes of seven or higher. Myanmar sits atop the Sagaing Fault, which runs from north to south, making it highly susceptible to seismic activity.