In this devastating Earthquake Tragedy: Aids from All Over Pouring In while on Saturday, another earthquake of 5.1-magnitude rattled central Myanmar near Mandalay. The quake struck at a shallow depth of around 10 km, and the tremors were intense and felt across Mandalay and nearby regions. No significant damage or casualties was reported from the aftershock although residents reported some falling of household items and swaying of the buildings.
As a precautionary measure some people evacuated their homes. As further tremors are expected the local authorities have advised the residents to follow safety guidelines and stay alert. The structural damage assessments are underway and the situation is closely monitored by the disaster response teams.
Earthquake Tragedy: Aids from All Over Pouring In
Rescue Workers Racing Against Time
The country’s military leaders on Saturday reported, Friday’s earthquake has left central Myanmar in ruins and the death toll has gone up to 1,644 people. Desperate rescue workers are racing against time to locate survivors.
According to the National Unity Government, Myanmar’s shadow government, the rebel forces in the country’s Sagaing region, are using elephants to clear roads destroyed by the quake.
Damage to Religious and Historic sites
Apart from the collapsed buildings, fallen bridges, and destroyed roads across the affected regions, the destruction continues to grow. Myanmar’s religious and historic sites suffered severely.
The pagodas, minarets have toppled, Buddhist monasteries and mosques have collapsed, centuries-old monuments that were once popular tourist attractions are reduced to rubble.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) have reported that the recent earthquake that rocked Myanmar is the most powerful earthquake in over 100 years. In 1912 an earthquake of similar magnitude struck Taunggyi.
Condolences From Thai royal family
The CNN reported that Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the queen and the prince, expressed “deep sorrow and condolences” to the families of those who lost their lives in the recent natural disaster.
In a statement released on Saturday, the royal family declared that, under their “royal patronage.” all victims across the country would receive medical care.
Struggle of Relief workers
According to a resident Han Zin, the town of Sagaing close to the quake’s epicenter is destroyed. He said by phone that a lot of buildings have collapsed, most of the town was without electricity and the drinking water was running out since the disaster struck.
The resident then went on to say that the people there have not received any aid or any rescue workers. In Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay a rescue worker said most operations were being conducted by self-organized resident groups that do not have the required equipment.
He went on to say that they have tried to use collapsed buildings, but the buildings were unstable. According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in parts of central and northwestern Myanmar due to a large number of injured people pouring into the hospitals, they are struggling to cope with the situation.
The UN said that due to debris and damaged roads because of the quake in Myanmar, relief efforts are hampered. The rescue teams are searching frantically for survivors in the debris.
The CNN reported that UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned of an acute shortage of medical supplies in a country that is isolated by its military junta.
In the southern part of Myanmar, Nyaungshwe, Kalaw, and Pinlaung are the areas that were severely devastated. The health workers in central and northwestern cities, are struggling to treat the injured people.
Medical supplies, such as trauma kits, blood bags, and anesthetics are facing acute shortage. Mohammed Riyas, the IRC’s Myanmar director said that it may take weeks to estimate the full extent of destruction.
Relief From India
Operation Brahma is launched by India to aid rescue and relief work in the quake hit nation. The operation was launched as a swift response to the devastation caused by the earthquake that hit Myanmar and Thailand on Friday.
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that the Indian Army will help set up a field hospital in Mandalay. He also assured that two navy ships are heading to Myanmar’s commercial capital of Yangon carrying supplies.
India has sent relief materials, tonnes of ration, tents, rescue teams and medical equipment in five military aircraft to quake hit Myanmar.
Officials said that three C-130J and two C-17 Globemaster aircraft took off from New Delhi with relief materials, medicines, an 80-member search and rescue team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and military field hospitals to Myanmar.
The officials also said that specialised rescue team from Indian Army’s 50 (I) Para Brigade has also been swiftly sent to Myanmar. Air sorties and naval ships have carried 137 tonnes of aid to the quake hit areas.
Relief From all Over the World
About £10 million package was announced by the UK Government as a relief measure for the people of Myanmar. A $5 million relief package was announced by the United Nations.
China sent in a 37-member rescue team with life detectors, food, blankets, emergency supplies, drones and other equipment. Russia sent in relief supplies and personnel.
The EU contributed €2.5 million to emergency aid. Support also came pouring in from Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore.
Also Read: Deadly Earthquakes Spark Global Concern
Also Read: What caused the deadly Myanmar earthquake leaving 2,000+ dead?
