Myanmar earthquake: What India sent as part of 15-tonne relief material

Following yesterday’s devastating earthquake in Myanmar, India sent nearly 15 tonnes of relief material on an Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft, which took off from Hindon air force station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, as part of its ‘Operation Brahma’.

The 7.7 magnitude quake, with the epicentre near Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, struck at midday on Friday, rocking not just the nation but also neighbouring Thailand. At least 144 people were killed in Myanmar, and 730 others injured, while, in Thailand, Bangkok city authorities said 10 people were killed, 16 injured and 101 missing from three construction sites.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed concern over the earthquake, in a social media post, and had added that India was ready to offer all possible assistance.

The United Nations has allocated $5 million for relief efforts, while China and Russia will send rescue teams. US President Donald Trump, too, extended help but the specifics are yet to be announced.

Myanmar earthquake: What did the relief materials include?

Approximately 15 tonnes of relief material was sent to Myanmar, which include:

Tents, sleeping bags, blankets,, water purifiers, solar lamps, generator sets and essential medicines, the sources said.

Tents

Sleeping bags

Blankets

Ready-to-eat meals

Water purifiers

Hygiene kits

Solar lamps

Generator sets

Essential medicines (paracetamol, antibiotics, canula, syringes, gloves, cotton bandages, urine bags, among others)

What caused the Myanmar earthquake?

Reuters quoted University College London professor and earthquake expert Joanna Faure Walker as saying that Myanmar lies on the plate boundary between two tectonic plates – India Plate and Eurasia Plate – making it one of the world’s most seismically active countries. Despite this, the country has not witnessed too many devastating earthquakes.

Walker said the plates move past each other horizontally at different speeds, causing ‘strike slip’ quakes that are not as powerful as those in ‘subduction zones’ like Sumatra, where one plate slides under another. But, the ‘strike slip’ quakes can still reach magnitudes of 7 to 8.