5.1 magnitude earthquake hits near Mandalay in Myanmar, the latest in a string of aftershocks
Soror Shaiza | Mar 30, 2025, 14:15 IST
( Image credit : AP )
On March 28, 2025, Myanmar was hit by a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that claimed more than 1,600 lives and caused severe damage in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city. As the country grapples with the aftermath of this disaster, recovery efforts have been complicated by damaged infrastructure, limited access to affected areas, and ongoing conflict due to Myanmar’s civil war. While international aid has begun arriving, local volunteers remain at the forefront of search-and-rescue operations. The latest 5.1 magnitude aftershock has further exacerbated the already dire situation.
Rescue and Recovery Efforts Hindered by Infrastructure Damage and Aftershocks
Emergency teams have faced significant challenges as they attempt to reach the most affected areas of Myanmar, especially the region around Mandalay, which was closest to the epicenter of the earthquake. With the earthquake causing widespread destruction, particularly to critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges, efforts to reach the hardest-hit areas have been hindered. Many of Mandalay’s 1.5 million residents were forced to sleep on the streets, either because their homes were destroyed or out of fear that aftershocks would cause additional buildings to collapse.
On Sunday, a 5.1 magnitude aftershock struck the area, sending more people into a state of panic, though initial reports indicated that there was no further immediate damage. The tremors also shook the neighboring region of Thailand, causing additional concern. Many residents are now left wondering whether the city’s already fragile structures will survive the continuing aftershocks, leading to widespread fear and uncertainty.
Reports from local relief agencies indicate that many areas of the country remain inaccessible due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing conflict in the region. Rescue operations are largely being carried out by local volunteers who have worked tirelessly to dig through rubble by hand. However, with hospitals already overwhelmed by the number of injured people, and medical supplies running out, the situation remains critical. Foreign aid teams are being called upon to assist with the recovery, but access to the affected areas is still slow.
International Aid and Assistance Struggles to Reach Affected Areas
As Myanmar faces the aftermath of the earthquake, the arrival of international aid has been crucial, though challenges persist. Two Indian military transport aircraft landed at Naypitaw, Myanmar's capital, on March 29, carrying critical medical supplies and field hospitals. The Indian team has established a 60-bed emergency treatment center in Mandalay to support the overburdened hospitals, but delays in transport and blocked roads have made it difficult to get aid to the most severely affected areas. A convoy of 17 Chinese cargo trucks filled with shelter materials and medical supplies was also expected to arrive in Mandalay after a 14-hour journey from Yangon, further highlighting the difficulty of providing relief in the earthquake zone.
Despite these efforts, time is running out. The critical 24-hour window for rescue operations is rapidly closing, and with each passing day, the chances of finding survivors decrease. Medical teams are already reporting shortages of essential supplies, including trauma kits, blood bags, anesthetics, and general medicines. The United Nations has issued a report highlighting the severe destruction of health facilities in the area, which further hampers efforts to provide care to those in need. Additionally, a lack of food, clean water, and shelter for displaced families has exacerbated the crisis, leading many to fear that the death toll could rise significantly as access to affected regions remains difficult.
The Compounding Challenges of Myanmar's Civil War
Beyond the immediate devastation of the earthquake, Myanmar’s ongoing civil war has further complicated the relief efforts. Since the military coup in 2021, Myanmar has been embroiled in violent conflict between government forces and a range of resistance groups, including militias loyal to the opposition National Unity Government (NUG) and pro-democracy People's Defense Forces (PDF). The military regime has lost control of large parts of the country, and many affected regions are beyond the reach of official aid efforts.
Many of the earthquake-affected areas, particularly those near Mandalay and Naypitaw, are within regions controlled by resistance groups, making access difficult for government-backed relief teams. As of March 29, Myanmar’s NUG announced a unilateral ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian efforts, a move that has been praised by international observers. However, the military junta has not commented on this ceasefire and has continued its airstrikes on rebel-held areas, making the situation even more dangerous for aid workers and residents alike.
The civil conflict in Myanmar, which has displaced over 3 million people and left nearly 20 million in need of humanitarian assistance, has created a complex environment for relief efforts. Even with offers of assistance from countries like China, Russia, and India, the delivery of aid remains hampered by political and logistical obstacles. Local volunteers, along with international rescue teams, are left to navigate a treacherous landscape of ongoing violence, infrastructure collapse, and an ever-deteriorating security situation. This combination of factors threatens to complicate recovery efforts for months to come, prolonging the suffering of those affected by both the earthquake and the civil war.
Emergency teams have faced significant challenges as they attempt to reach the most affected areas of Myanmar, especially the region around Mandalay, which was closest to the epicenter of the earthquake. With the earthquake causing widespread destruction, particularly to critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges, efforts to reach the hardest-hit areas have been hindered. Many of Mandalay’s 1.5 million residents were forced to sleep on the streets, either because their homes were destroyed or out of fear that aftershocks would cause additional buildings to collapse.
On Sunday, a 5.1 magnitude aftershock struck the area, sending more people into a state of panic, though initial reports indicated that there was no further immediate damage. The tremors also shook the neighboring region of Thailand, causing additional concern. Many residents are now left wondering whether the city’s already fragile structures will survive the continuing aftershocks, leading to widespread fear and uncertainty.
Reports from local relief agencies indicate that many areas of the country remain inaccessible due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing conflict in the region. Rescue operations are largely being carried out by local volunteers who have worked tirelessly to dig through rubble by hand. However, with hospitals already overwhelmed by the number of injured people, and medical supplies running out, the situation remains critical. Foreign aid teams are being called upon to assist with the recovery, but access to the affected areas is still slow.
International Aid and Assistance Struggles to Reach Affected Areas
As Myanmar faces the aftermath of the earthquake, the arrival of international aid has been crucial, though challenges persist. Two Indian military transport aircraft landed at Naypitaw, Myanmar's capital, on March 29, carrying critical medical supplies and field hospitals. The Indian team has established a 60-bed emergency treatment center in Mandalay to support the overburdened hospitals, but delays in transport and blocked roads have made it difficult to get aid to the most severely affected areas. A convoy of 17 Chinese cargo trucks filled with shelter materials and medical supplies was also expected to arrive in Mandalay after a 14-hour journey from Yangon, further highlighting the difficulty of providing relief in the earthquake zone.
Despite these efforts, time is running out. The critical 24-hour window for rescue operations is rapidly closing, and with each passing day, the chances of finding survivors decrease. Medical teams are already reporting shortages of essential supplies, including trauma kits, blood bags, anesthetics, and general medicines. The United Nations has issued a report highlighting the severe destruction of health facilities in the area, which further hampers efforts to provide care to those in need. Additionally, a lack of food, clean water, and shelter for displaced families has exacerbated the crisis, leading many to fear that the death toll could rise significantly as access to affected regions remains difficult.
The Compounding Challenges of Myanmar's Civil War
Beyond the immediate devastation of the earthquake, Myanmar’s ongoing civil war has further complicated the relief efforts. Since the military coup in 2021, Myanmar has been embroiled in violent conflict between government forces and a range of resistance groups, including militias loyal to the opposition National Unity Government (NUG) and pro-democracy People's Defense Forces (PDF). The military regime has lost control of large parts of the country, and many affected regions are beyond the reach of official aid efforts.
Many of the earthquake-affected areas, particularly those near Mandalay and Naypitaw, are within regions controlled by resistance groups, making access difficult for government-backed relief teams. As of March 29, Myanmar’s NUG announced a unilateral ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian efforts, a move that has been praised by international observers. However, the military junta has not commented on this ceasefire and has continued its airstrikes on rebel-held areas, making the situation even more dangerous for aid workers and residents alike.
The civil conflict in Myanmar, which has displaced over 3 million people and left nearly 20 million in need of humanitarian assistance, has created a complex environment for relief efforts. Even with offers of assistance from countries like China, Russia, and India, the delivery of aid remains hampered by political and logistical obstacles. Local volunteers, along with international rescue teams, are left to navigate a treacherous landscape of ongoing violence, infrastructure collapse, and an ever-deteriorating security situation. This combination of factors threatens to complicate recovery efforts for months to come, prolonging the suffering of those affected by both the earthquake and the civil war.