In the aftermath of a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, India has swiftly responded by deploying a contingent of 80 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for relief and rescue operations under ‘Operation Brahma’. This timely humanitarian assistance was confirmed by official sources on Saturday, March 29, 2025. The NDRF team, which includes a Commandant-rank officer, is equipped with specialized rescue gear and is expected to reach Myanmar by Saturday evening. This operation marks another instance of India’s commitment to international disaster relief, following similar efforts during the 2015 Nepal earthquake and the 2023 Turkey earthquake.
The earthquake, which hit near Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, resulted in catastrophic damage. Buildings, bridges, and critical infrastructure were destroyed, and the tremors were felt across neighboring Thailand. As of the latest reports, over 1,000 people have been confirmed dead, with 2,376 others injured. In addition, at least 30 people remain missing. The military-led government of Myanmar issued a statement acknowledging the scale of the disaster, stating that recovery efforts are ongoing, and the death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are retrieved from the rubble.
The quake struck in the middle of the day on Friday, with aftershocks continuing into the weekend, one of which measured a powerful 6.4 magnitude. The damage caused was widespread, with buildings collapsing, roads buckling, and bridges collapsing in many areas. One of the most concerning consequences of the earthquake was the failure of a dam, further compounding the devastation. The destruction has been particularly severe in Myanmar’s war-torn regions, where ongoing civil conflict has already created a massive humanitarian crisis, complicating relief efforts and raising concerns about the challenges faced in delivering aid.
In response to the immediate needs of Myanmar, India has already dispatched 15 tonnes of relief material to Yangon via a C130J military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF). This gesture of solidarity comes as the country’s government, led by General Min Aung Hlaing, expressed its readiness to accept foreign aid, which is a notable shift given Myanmar’s historical hesitations to accept outside assistance. In his communication, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed India’s commitment to provide all necessary support to the affected nations, emphasizing the deep ties between India and Myanmar, especially given their shared 1,643-km-long border.
While the focus remains on Myanmar, the quake also impacted Thailand. In Bangkok, the tremors caused damage to buildings, and the collapse of a construction site left at least six people dead, 26 injured, and 47 missing. The construction site, a 33-story high-rise being built by a Chinese company, collapsed dramatically, sending plumes of dust into the air and causing widespread panic among residents. Authorities have brought in heavy machinery to clear the rubble, but hopes of finding survivors have been rapidly fading as the hours pass.
Myanmar, already grappling with a bloody civil war that has left much of the population displaced and in dire need of humanitarian aid, now faces the added burden of earthquake recovery. The natural disaster has disrupted already precarious logistics and transportation systems, making it even harder to reach those in need. The country’s civil war has strained the ability of relief organizations to operate freely, and the global community remains concerned that the situation could worsen in the coming days.
The tragedy has raised the need for a more robust and coordinated international response, especially given the challenges presented by Myanmar’s political instability and ongoing internal conflicts. As Myanmar begins the arduous task of recovery, India’s quick deployment of NDRF personnel exemplifies its commitment to helping its neighbors in times of crisis, ensuring that affected populations receive vital aid and support during such a critical time.
India TV.
