New Delhi, March 31: The Junta government of Myanmar announced that the death toll from Friday’s earthquake has gone up to 2,056, with more than 3,900 people injured and 270 still missing. Myanmar ruling authorities have also declared a week of national mourning as the country grapples with the devastation. Concerns have been raised about the accuracy of information released by Myanmar’s military leadership, which has a history of downplaying the impact of national disasters as it is widely believed that there are more number of deaths.
Several international media reports that media access remains restricted as the state controls over radio, television, print, and online platforms. International media reports suggest that the junta has denied requests from international journalists to report on the earthquake’s aftermath and also there is hardly any telephone connections as telecommunication too has been affected in the earthquake affected area.
The United Nations officials has issued an urgent appeal for $8 million to support relief efforts, as aid organisations warn of an escalating humanitarian crisis. Relief workers are struggling to deliver aid amid the hostilities and a critical shortage of resources. Hospitals in the affected areas have been severely damaged and are struggling to handle the influx of casualties. The extent of the destruction has been compounded by the ongoing conflict between the military junta and armed resistance groups, with airstrikes continuing despite the crisis.
In Thailand, 19 people have been confirmed dead, and thousands have been evacuated from damaged buildings in Bangkok. Rescue teams are still searching for 75 construction workers trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed high-rise building in the capital, though no signs of life have been detected for several hours.
Media reports indicate that four people, including a pregnant woman and a child, have been rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building in Mandalay. China, India, and Thailand are presently providing assistance and supporting search and rescue efforts.
Meanwhile, the military has conducted ground attacks in the earthquake-stricken region of Sagaing, according to local resistance groups. Rebel forces have reported coming under heavy mortar fire, with multiple military convoys spotted in the area. Airstrikes have continued in other parts of the country as well. Calls from Singapore and the United Nations for a temporary ceasefire to allow aid distribution have gone unheeded. In contrast, the National Unity Government, which represents the ousted civilian administration, has announced a temporary halt to non-defensive operations in the earthquake-affected regions for two weeks.
