A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake in Myanmar has killed 3,770 people and injured over 5,000. More than 200,000 are displaced, with international aid efforts underway. India leads relief with Operation Brahma. Over 63,000 buildings are damaged across 10 regions, as aftershocks continue to hit the country.
As of April 28, the death toll from the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on March 28 has climbed to 3,770, according to state media outlet The Mirror. In addition to the fatalities, 5,106 individuals have been reported injured, while 106 remain missing, reported Xinhua news agency.
The powerful earthquake has triggered a humanitarian crisis, displacing more than 200,000 people and causing widespread destruction across 10 regions and states, including Nay Pyi Taw, Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, Magway, and Shan. Myanmar’s National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC), chaired by Vice Senior General Soe Win, confirmed that over 63,000 homes were either destroyed or severely damaged. The quake also affected over 6,700 schools, 5,400 monasteries, 5,300 pagodas, and numerous hospitals, bridges, roads, and dams.
Since the initial shock, Myanmar has experienced 157 aftershocks ranging from magnitudes of 2.8 to 7.5, further complicating rescue and recovery operations.
In response to the disaster, international humanitarian assistance has been mobilized. So far, 2,095 rescue workers from 26 countries and regions have arrived in Myanmar, bringing more than 3,800 tonnes of relief supplies. These were delivered using 147 aircraft, seven ships, and 23 vehicles. Among the earliest responders was India, launching ‘Operation Brahma,’ which has provided over 750 metric tonnes of relief materials including essential medicines, food grains, tents, blankets, and mobile medical units.
To manage the crisis on the ground, authorities have employed a colour-coded system—blue, orange, and red—to assess structural damage to buildings. This initiative is critical in determining which structures are safe for occupancy, which require repair, and which need to be demolished.
Temporary housing solutions are being implemented for those who have lost their homes, including bashas and modular shelters. Looking forward, Myanmar’s government has announced plans to rebuild using earthquake-resistant construction techniques, based on detailed soil testing and fault-line assessments to ensure future resilience.
International medical teams, comprising 337 foreign personnel, have set up temporary hospitals in the worst-affected zones and are working alongside local healthcare providers to treat the injured and prevent the outbreak of disease.
Despite the immense scale of destruction and the logistical challenges of providing relief across remote and damaged terrain, both national and international efforts continue to pour in to aid Myanmar’s recovery. As assessments and rescue operations progress, the full impact of the disaster is becoming clearer, underscoring the urgent need for sustained global support.
