New Delhi [India], March 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed deep concern over the powerful earthquakes that struck Myanmar and Thailand, assuring that India stands ready to offer all possible assistance.
India Ready to Help
PM Modi took to X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“Concerned by the situation in the wake of the earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand. Praying for the safety and well-being of everyone. India stands ready to offer all possible assistance. In this regard, I have asked our authorities to be on standby. Also, I have asked the MEA to remain in touch with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand.”
Myanmar Hit by Massive 7.4-Magnitude Earthquake
At 11:50 am IST on Friday, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, with tremors felt as far as Bangkok and other parts of Thailand.
- Epicenter: Near Mandalay, about 50km east of Monywa.
- Depth: 10 km (according to the United States Geological Survey – USGS).
- Aftershocks: A 6.4-magnitude aftershock followed minutes later. A third tremor (4.9-magnitude) was also recorded.
Impact in Thailand
The quake caused panic in Bangkok, with people rushing out of swaying buildings.
- Building Collapse: A 30-story skyscraper under construction in Chatuchak district collapsed, trapping 43 workers, according to Thailand’s National Institute for Emergency Medicine.
- Emergency Declaration: Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra declared Bangkok as an emergency zone, urging residents to evacuate high-rise buildings.
- Business Closures: Several businesses temporarily shut down as a precaution.
Myanmar’s Response & Infrastructure Damage
- Yangon Residents Affected: Residents in Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial hub (380 miles from the epicenter), felt tremors for a minute, causing many to flee buildings.
- Phone Network Disruptions: Communications were briefly down but later restored.
- Bridge Collapse: A road bridge spanning the Irrawaddy River in Mandalay collapsed into the river, as seen in videos shared on social media.
China Also Affected
China’s CCTV reported that strong tremors were felt in Yunnan Province, bordering Myanmar.
- Impacted areas include Xishuangbanna, Dehong, Kunming, Lijiang, Baoshan, Dali, and parts of Guizhou & Guangxi.
What’s Next?
With India offering assistance, what kind of aid do you think will be most effective in helping Myanmar and Thailand recover from this disaster? 🚨🌍