New Delhi: A massive 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, leaving a trail of destruction and loss, with the death toll surpassing 1,600 and potentially climbing to over 10,000, according to early estimates by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The disaster, centered just 17 km from Mandalay, has prompted an immediate and robust response from India, which launched Operation Brahma to deliver humanitarian aid, rescue teams, and medical support to the affected regions.

The Earthquake: A Geological Perspective

The 7.7 magnitude earthquake, the most powerful to hit Myanmar in two years, occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km, amplifying its destructive impact. The epicenter, the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the quake’s origin (known as the focus), was located approximately 17 km from Mandalay, a major city in central Myanmar. The shallow depth meant that the seismic waves traveled with greater intensity from the focus to the surface, causing widespread damage across the region, including parts of neighboring Thailand.

The earthquake was caused by strike-slip faulting along the Sagaing Fault, a significant tectonic feature that marks the boundary between the Indian and Eurasian plates. The Sagaing Fault stretches 1,500 km from north to south through Myanmar, making it one of the longest and most active strike-slip faults in the world. The Indian plate is moving northward relative to the Eurasian plate, creating immense tectonic stress along the fault. When this stress is released, it results in earthquakes, as witnessed in this disaster.

What Are Faults and How Do They Cause Earthquakes?

Faults are fractures in the Earth’s crust where rocks on either side move relative to each other due to tectonic forces. This movement releases accumulated strain, triggering seismic activity. There are several types of faults, each associated with specific tectonic settings:

• Normal Fault: Occurs at divergent boundaries, where the hanging wall moves downward relative to the footwall. Example: East African Rift Valley.
• Reverse Fault: Found at convergent boundaries, where the hanging wall moves upward due to compression. Examples: Rocky Mountains, Himalayan Mountains.
• Strike-Slip Fault: Involves horizontal movement with minimal vertical displacement. Example: Anatolia Fault, Turkey.
• Transform Fault: A type of strike-slip fault that forms boundaries between tectonic plates. Example: San Andreas Fault, California.

The Sagaing Fault, responsible for the Myanmar earthquake, is a strike-slip fault where the Indian and Eurasian plates slide past each other horizontally, releasing energy in the form of seismic waves that cause the ground to shake violently.

The Human Cost: A Rising Death Toll

The earthquake has wreaked havoc in Myanmar, particularly in the Mandalay region, where the death toll has reached 1,644 as of March 29, 2025, according to the country’s military junta. This figure accounts only for the Mandalay area, near the epicenter, but the USGS has warned that the total death toll could exceed 10,000 as more data becomes available. Thousands of people have been injured, and the local healthcare infrastructure is struggling to cope with the influx of patients, many of whom require urgent medical attention for trauma and other injuries.

India’s Response: Launching ‘Operation Brahma’

In a swift and coordinated effort, India launched Operation Brahma on March 29, 2025, to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) to Myanmar. The operation, named after the Hindu deity of creation to symbolize rebuilding and renewal, reflects India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family. India has a history of aiding nations in crisis, having previously deployed relief teams during the 2015 Nepal earthquake (Operation Maitri) and the 2023 Turkey earthquake (Operation Dost).

Diplomatic Engagement: PM Modi Reaches Out

On the morning of March 29, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of Myanmar’s military-led government, marking his first direct communication with the junta chief since the February 2021 coup in Myanmar. In a post on X, Modi expressed India’s solidarity, stating, “Spoke with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing of Myanmar. Conveyed our deep condolences at the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake. As a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this difficult hour.”

The call also laid the groundwork for further collaboration, as Min Aung Hlaing is expected to attend the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok next week, where Modi will also be present, potentially facilitating additional discussions on disaster recovery.

A Multi-Layered Humanitarian Effort

India’s Operation Brahma encompasses a wide range of activities, including the delivery of relief supplies, deployment of rescue teams, and provision of medical support. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the efforts:

1. Relief Supplies: 137 Tonnes and Counting

India has sent a total of 137 tonnes of disaster relief material to Myanmar, with more aid planned based on the evolving needs of the situation. The first consignment of 15 tonnes arrived in Yangon on March 29, 2025, via a C-130J military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The supplies, which included tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packets, hygiene kits, generators, and essential medicines, were handed over by India’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Abhay Thakur, to Yangon’s Chief Minister, U Soe Thein.

Additionally, two IAF C-130 aircraft landed in Nay Pyi Taw on the evening of March 29, carrying 38 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and 10 tonnes of relief material. The aircraft were received by Ambassador Thakur and Myanmar’s Ambassador Maung Maung Lynn, despite the Nay Pyi Taw airport being only partially operational following the earthquake.

2. Naval Deployment: INS Satpura and INS Savitri

The Indian Navy has deployed two ships, INS Satpura and INS Savitri, to Yangon port, carrying 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced the deployment on X, stating, “Operation Brahma Indian Navy ships INS Satpura & INS Savitri are carrying 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid and headed for the port of Yangon.” This naval support ensures a steady flow of critical resources to the disaster-affected areas, complementing the airlift operations.

3. Rescue Operations: NDRF Teams Lead the Way

A team of 80 NDRF personnel, equipped with advanced rescue tools such as concrete cutters, drill machines, hammers, and canine squads, was airlifted to Myanmar via two IAF sorties from Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad. The team arrived in Nay Pyi Taw on March 29 and is scheduled to move to Mandalay on March 30, making India the first foreign nation to deploy rescue personnel to the epicenter region.

NDRF Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Mohsen Shahedi highlighted the urgency of the mission, stating that the next 24-48 hours are “very crucial” for effective rescue operations. The NDRF team’s early arrival in Mandalay positions India as a leader in the international response to the crisis, with the team set to become the first foreign rescue unit to operate in the area.

4. Medical Support: A 60-Bed Field Hospital

The Indian Army, under Operation Brahma, has deployed a 118-member medical task force from the Shatrujeet Brigade Medical Responders, led by Lieutenant Colonel Jagneet Gill. The team, known as the Airborne Angels Task Force, arrived at Nay Pyi Taw International Airport on March 29, welcomed by Ambassador Thakur, Myanmar’s Defence Attache, and Naval Attache.

The task force is establishing a 60-bed Medical Treatment Centre in Mandalay, capable of handling trauma cases, emergency surgeries, and essential medical services. This facility will provide critical support to Myanmar’s overwhelmed healthcare system, offering immediate care to the injured. The team also includes communication units to ensure seamless coordination during the operation. The expansion of the operation began on March 30, with a reconnaissance party consisting of one officer and one Junior Commissioned Officer moving to Mandalay, 160 miles north of the current base in Nay Pyi Taw.

International Support and India’s Leadership

India’s rapid response has set a high standard for international aid efforts. Other countries, including the US, China, Russia, and Singapore, have also sent relief and rescue support, but India was the first to deploy personnel to Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay. The Indian Embassy in Myanmar is working closely with local authorities to ensure the efficient delivery of aid and is maintaining constant communication with the Indian community in Myanmar, which numbers around 50,000-60,000 individuals (approximately 15,000 families). No Indian casualties have been reported so far, and the embassy has shared an emergency contact number for Indian nationals in need.

Why Myanmar Is Prone to Earthquakes

Myanmar’s location on the Sagaing Fault makes it highly susceptible to seismic activity. The fault’s 1,500 km length and its role as a boundary between the Indian and Eurasian plates create a volatile tectonic environment. The northward movement of the Indian plate against the Eurasian plate continuously builds stress along the fault, which is released in the form of earthquakes. This geological reality highlights the need for long-term disaster preparedness and international cooperation in the region.

Conclusion: A Beacon of Hope in Crisis

Operation Brahma demonstrates India’s unwavering commitment to supporting its neighbors in times of crisis. Through a combination of air, naval, and ground operations, India has delivered critical aid, deployed rescue teams, and established medical facilities to help Myanmar recover from this devastating earthquake. As the death toll continues to rise and the full scope of the disaster unfolds, India’s efforts under Operation Brahma will play a vital role in saving lives and rebuilding communities.

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