Operation Brahma: India sends 50 tonnes of ‘first-responder’ aid to earthquake-hit Myanmar

After Myanmar was hit by a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, resulting in more than 2,000 casualties and vast devastation, India has sent 50 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the East Asian nation under Operation Brahma, using naval ships INS Satpura and INS Savitri.

The relief materials were handed over in Yangon by India’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Abhay Thakur.

According to the Indian Embassy in Yangon, six Indian Air Force planes and five Navy ships have delivered aid to the cities of Yangon, Naypyitaw, and Mandalay.

The country’s ruling junta has reported that 2,056 people have died, more than 3,900 are injured, and 270 remain missing. The quake was also felt in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and southwest China.

India is sending more aid, with three additional Navy ships—INS Karmukh, INS Gharial, and LCU-S2—carrying over 500 tonnes of relief materials on their way to Yangon. A JAF C-130 aircraft is also set to land in Mandalay today with 15 tonnes of additional supplies.

A devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar near Mandalay on 25 March, resulting in over 2,700 deaths and more than 4,500 injuries.

The quake caused widespread destruction, including the collapse of buildings in Mandalay and significant damage to historic sites. Rescue operations are still underway.

The disaster has intensified Myanmar’s existing humanitarian challenges, with international aid being complicated by political tensions and ongoing civil unrest.

Neighbouring countries like Thailand also felt the tremors, experiencing structural damage and casualties.

This a developing story.