Myanmar Earthquake Update: 5 Points About The Disaster That Released Power of 334 Atomic Bombs

More than 1,700 people have tragically lost their lives, and over 3,400 others have been injured, according to the country's military government. The earthquake caused severe damage, buckling roads, destroying bridges, and reducing many buildings to rubble. Myanmar is located in one of the most geologically active regions of the world, making it highly vulnerable to such disasters. The earthquake’s impact was felt far beyond Myanmar’s borders, with strong tremors reaching places like Thailand and south-western China. In Bangkok, which is over 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) from the epicentre, the tremors were so strong that an unfinished high-rise building collapsed.

Where Did The Myanmar Earthquake Strike?

The earthquake’s epicentre was located about 16 kilometres (10 miles) north-west of Sagaing, a city in Myanmar, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). It was also close to Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, home to around 1.5 million people, and about 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of the capital, Nay Pyi Taw.

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The first tremor hit at around 12:50 local time (06:20 GMT). Just 12 minutes later, a second earthquake struck with a magnitude of 6.4, centred 18 kilometres (11 miles) south of Sagaing.

Since then, aftershocks have continued. The most recent one on Sunday was a magnitude-5.1 tremor, northwest of Mandalay. A local resident told BBC Burmese that it was the strongest aftershock they had felt since the earthquake on March 28, 2025.

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Updates

The death toll in Myanmar has now surpassed 1,600, with 3,408 people still missing. However, many areas remain unreachable, and rescue operations are still in their early stages. Much of the rescue work so far has been carried out by local people, who are clearing rubble by hand in an effort to find survivors, according to a relief worker.

In neighbouring Thailand, the death toll rose to 17 as of Sunday, March 30, 2025, according to city authorities. The Bangkok Metropolitan Authority reported that 32 people were injured and 83 others remain unaccounted for. Most of those missing are believed to be from the site of a 30-storey tower block under construction that collapsed during the tremors.

World Health Organisation (WHO) Sends Medical Help

In response to the urgent health needs of the thousands injured in the earthquakes that struck Myanmar, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has sent nearly three tons of medical supplies to hospitals in Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay. These two cities were among the hardest hit by the tremors.

“In a statement, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the supplies, including trauma kits and multipurpose tents, had already reached a 1,000-bed hospital in Nay Pyi Taw and would soon reach the Mandalay General Hospital - the two main facilities treating the injured in these areas.

WHO is preparing a second dispatch of Inter-Agency Emergency Health Kits early on Monday, with each having supplies to treat 10,000 people for three months”, as per the PTI report.

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Myanmar’s Historic Monuments Reduced To Rubble

Myanmar’s historic and religious sites were heavily damaged in the earthquake. Pagodas and minarets were toppled, and Buddhist monasteries, centuries-old monuments, and mosques collapsed.

According to the New York Times, In Mandalay, a large pagoda that once stood proudly on the palace walls was left leaning at a sharp angle, while in other areas, parts of the walls crumbled. As of the latest update on Saturday morning, March 29, 2025, Myanmar’s government reported that more than 3,000 buildings had been damaged, including about 150 mosques and pagodas.

Southwest of Mandalay, the 200-year-old Me Nu Brick Monastery was severely affected, with much of the structure destroyed. The building’s distinctive balconies had collapsed, leaving behind only the bulky interior walls.

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India launched Operation Brahma To Support Myanmar

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India has launched Operation Brahma to support rescue and relief efforts in Myanmar, sending tons of essential supplies such as food, tents, and medicines. So far, India has delivered 137 tonnes of aid through air sorties and naval ships. Additionally, a search and rescue team has been deployed along with a medical unit, bringing vital supplies like blankets, tarpaulins, solar lamps, hygiene kits, sleeping bags, and food packets.

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