India launches Operation Brahma to help quake hit Myanmar

The government of India has launched Operation Brahma to help the earthquake-hit victims in Myanmar. A 7.7 magnitude quake hit Myanmar on 28 March 2025, killing at least 1000 people. According to the US Geological Survey, more than 10,000 people are feared dead in Myanmar.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the ruler of Myanmar, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment as a close friend and neighbor to stand in solidarity with Myanmar during this challenging time.

Operation Brahma 

India, under its Neighbourhood First policy and its policy of being the first responder in providing Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) has launched Operation Brahma. 

Two Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft carrying relief material for the quake-hit Myanmar took off from Hindon Air Force Station, Uttar Pradesh.

The plane carried the first tranche of 15 tonnes of urgent humanitarian aid landed at the Yangon airport of Myanmar. A search-and-rescue team and a medical team have also been sent to Myanmar.

The relief package includes essential supplies such as tents, blankets, sleeping bags,crucial medical supplies, including paracetamol, antibiotics, syringes, gloves, and bandages etc.

Earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand

According to the US  Geological Survey, the epicenter of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit Myanmar and Thailand was 17.2 km from the city of Mandalay in Myanmar. 

According to a geologist, the energy released by the earthquake was equivalent to 334 atomic bombs.

The earthquake caused the collapse of buildings in five cities and towns of Myanmar, a railway bridge and a road bridge on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway. 

The iconic Ava Bridge over the Irrawaddy River was also destroyed due to the earthquake. 

At least 10 people have died in Bangkok, Thailand, due to the collapse of the under-construction building, and 100 people are trapped under the rubble.

Challenge in Myanmar 

The earthquake has hit Myanmar at a worse time when the country is facing multiple challenges.

The country is ruled by a military junta that overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021.

The government is engaged in fighting numerous armed ethnic groups, which have displaced at least three million people in the country.

Many areas of the country, especially the border area, have been occupied by the rebel groups.

The economic conditions of Myanmar are bad, with poor infrastructure and medical facilities.

A case has been filed in the International Criminal Court (ICC) accusing the head of the military junta, General  Min Aung Hlaing of crimes against the persecuted Rohingya minority group. However, the ICC has yet to issue an arrest warrant against General  Min Aung Hlaing.

What is an Earthquake?

Earthquakes occur  when the plates of the earth collide with each other.The earth's lithosphere consists of 7 major plates and they float over the molten surface of the upper mantle called asthenosphere.

When these plates collide, energy waves are released which causes vibration on the surface of the Earth known as Earthquake .

Epicenter and Hypocenter

The location below the earth’s surface where the earthquake originates is called the hypocenter, and the location directly above it on the surface of the earth is called the epicenter.

Seismographs and Richter Scale 

Earthquakes are recorded by instruments called seismographs. The recording they make is called a seismogram. 

The earthquake is measured on the Richter and Mercalli scales.

The Richter scale measures the strength (magnitude) of the earthquake waves while the Mercalli scale measures the intensity (effect on people /structure) of the earthquake waves.

Richter scale ranges from 0 to 9.