5.1 Magnitude Aftershock Hits Near Naypyidaw, Myanmar Following Major Earthquakes

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5.1 Magnitude Aftershock Hits Near Naypyidaw, Myanmar Following Major Earthquakes

Synopsis

A 5.1-magnitude aftershock hit Myanmar near Naypyidaw just a day after devastating earthquakes killed over a thousand. Rescue efforts are underway amidst damaged infrastructure and declared national emergency.

Key Takeaways

  • Another aftershock of 5.1 magnitude occurred in Myanmar.
  • Over a thousand lives were lost in the initial earthquakes.
  • Severe damage reported in Naypyidaw and surrounding areas.
  • Rescue operations face significant challenges due to infrastructure damage.
  • India has sent relief materials under Operation Brahma.

New Delhi, March 29 (NationPress) Just a day after a series of devastating earthquakes struck Myanmar, resulting in the loss of over a thousand lives, the country experienced another tremor measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale on Saturday, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

This latest seismic event occurred close to Myanmar's capital, Naypyidaw, around 2:50 p.m., at a depth of 10 km. The full impact of this new aftershock, which affected areas already devastated by Friday's quakes, is still unclear.

After the initial earthquake near Sagaing, the region was hit by 12 aftershocks, varying from 2.8 to 7.5 in magnitude, worsening the already critical situation. Areas such as Mandalay, Bago, Magway, northeastern Shan State, Sagaing, and Nay Pyi Taw have been reported as the worst-hit, according to Xinhua news agency.

The Myanmar government has declared a national emergency as rescue teams are working diligently to provide aid. Damage to essential infrastructure, including the Yangon-Mandalay highway near Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay, has severely impacted relief operations.

Rescue efforts are now utilizing the older Yangon-Mandalay road to access affected regions and assist in recovery efforts. The collapse of structures at Mandalay Airport and parts of the highway has disrupted crucial transport links between Myanmar's two largest cities.

Rescue teams, including fire service personnel from lower Myanmar, have arrived in the severely affected zones like Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay. However, the damaged infrastructure, power failures, and interrupted communication networks are presenting significant obstacles to their efforts.

In accordance with its Act East policy, India has dispatched over two shipments totaling 15 tonnes of relief materials to Myanmar. Randhir Jaiswal, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, stated that India, under Operation Brahma, is stepping in as a first responder to support the people of Myanmar impacted by the catastrophic earthquakes.

The initial quakes on Friday caused extensive destruction and resulted in the tragic loss of over a thousand lives.