SENAPATI, March 28: Two powerful earthquakes struck Myanmar on Friday, causing widespread destruction and sending strong tremors across the region, including Bangkok, Thailand, and parts of Northeast India.
The first earthquake, measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, hit Myanmar’s Sagaing region, located 16 kilometers northwest of the city. The epicenter was recorded at latitude 21.93 N and longitude 96.07 E, at a depth of 10 kilometers. An aftershock of 6.4-magnitude struck the region around 12 minutes after the initial quake. The tremors were so intense that they were felt over 900 kilometers away in Bangkok and parts of India’s Northeast, including Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Assam.
The earthquake caused significant damage in Myanmar, including the collapse of the iconic Ava Bridge in Mandalay, which fell into the Irrawaddy River. Other infrastructure, such as buildings and bridges, was also severely affected, and panic spread across the region as locals shared videos of the devastation. While preliminary reports suggest heavy damage to property, no loss of life has been confirmed yet.
In Bangkok, the earthquake’s impact was felt as buildings in the densely populated Greater Bangkok area shook violently. Alarms rang through high-rise condominiums, prompting residents to evacuate to the streets in a state of panic. Videos shared on social media show water spilling from rooftop pools, and several buildings sustained structural damage. However, no injuries or fatalities have been reported from the Thai capital.
In Northeast India, strong tremors were felt, particularly in Manipur, Mizoram, and Assam. Though the tremors were intense, no immediate reports of damage or injuries have been reported.
