India Earthquake Response: Can We Handle a Myanmar-Scale Event?
The devastating earthquake in Myanmar began on March 28, 2025, at 12:50 PM, when the Sagaing region experienced a powerful tremor. The initial shock, registering a magnitude of 7.7, shook a significant portion of northwestern Myanmar. Approximately 12 minutes later, at 1:02 PM, another strong tremor, measuring 6.4 in magnitude, struck. The combined impact of these earthquakes caused widespread destruction and claimed numerous lives across hundreds of kilometers.
The epicenter was in the Sagaing region, which suffered the most severe damage. Hundreds of buildings collapsed, and over 1,000 fatalities have been confirmed. Mandalay, another heavily affected area, saw the destruction of many historical structures and residential homes. Naypyidaw, Myanmar’s capital, was also impacted, although precise figures are still unavailable. The earthquake’s effects were felt as far as Thailand, where a building under construction in Bangkok collapsed, resulting in at least 9 deaths and trapping dozens of workers.
The tragedy has resulted in over 2,700 deaths, 4,639 injuries, and 373 people reported missing. Entire villages and towns have been obliterated. The tremors were so intense that they were felt in neighboring countries. Relief efforts are underway, but access to remote areas is challenging, raising concerns that the death toll may rise. International organizations have been appealed to for assistance, but Myanmar’s political situation is hindering relief operations.
In response to the 7.7 magnitude earthquake, India launched ‘Operation Brahma’ to provide humanitarian aid. This operation included deploying an 80-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, 118 medical professionals with medical equipment, and approximately 15 tons of relief supplies to Myanmar. Additionally, five Indian Navy ships delivered 440 tons of rice, cooking oil, and medicines. Six Indian Air Force aircraft transported relief materials and medical teams. These efforts demonstrated India’s commitment to supporting its neighboring country.
The primary cause of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar is the movement of tectonic plates. The Indian tectonic plate moves northward at a rate of about 5 centimeters per year, colliding with the Eurasian plate. The collision zone runs through Myanmar’s Sagaing Fault, a highly active seismic region. This tectonic activity is the reason for frequent and powerful earthquakes in Myanmar. The plate boundary extends beyond Myanmar, affecting India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Thailand.
The sudden release of pressure between the Indian plate and the Burma microplate causes ground shaking and seismic activity. This plate movement was responsible for the 2004 Sumatra-Andaman tsunami, which devastated coastal countries in the Indian Ocean, resulting in over 200,000 deaths. Similarly, the 2015 Nepal earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.8, caused thousands of fatalities and widespread destruction in Kathmandu. These events highlight the persistent threat posed by the Indian plate’s tectonic activity to South and Southeast Asia.
India is highly vulnerable to earthquakes, particularly in the northern and northeastern regions. India is classified into seismic zones 2 to 5, with zone 5 being the most dangerous. This zone includes Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and all eight northeastern states. The hilly areas of West Bengal, particularly Darjeeling and Kalimpong, also fall under zones 4 and 5, facing a high risk of major earthquakes. Many major Indian cities, such as Guwahati, Srinagar, Shillong, Itanagar, Imphal, Aizawl, Gangtok, Delhi, and Patna, are located in high-risk areas.
While India has disaster management resources like the NDRF, earthquake-resistant construction guidelines, and satellite-based monitoring, their implementation and public awareness remain inadequate. It is crucial for both the government and the public to prepare for such natural disasters, especially in high-risk zones.
The government must move beyond documentation and take concrete steps on the ground. This includes assessing and reinforcing or reconstructing old and weak buildings in earthquake-prone areas. Enforcing earthquake-resistant construction and taking strict action against violations is essential. Regular disaster safety drills in schools, hospitals, and crowded areas are necessary to prepare people for emergencies. Strengthening the NDRF and extending its reach to smaller towns, and developing an effective earthquake early warning system are also crucial.
It is time to treat “natural disasters” not as fate, but as a test of preparedness. The government and society must work together to prepare for future threats, ensuring that disasters like the one in Myanmar do not devastate India, and instead, face them with unity and understanding.