The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130 aircraft has landed in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, carrying relief material as part of Operation Brahma. India is the first country to send rescue personnel to Myanmar’s capital, where airport operations remain partially disrupted following the recent earthquake.

The Indian National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team was received in Naypyitaw by the Indian Ambassador, along with Ambassador-at-Large Maung Maung Lynn from Myanmar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The team is set to depart for Mandalay early tomorrow, making India’s NDRF the first rescue team to reach the city for relief operations.

According to sources, India has so far delivered 137 tonnes of aid to Myanmar via air sorties and naval ships, with additional assistance to be provided as needed.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday, March 29, said India has dispatched the first tranche of urgent humanitarian aid for the people of Myanmar. The IAF MCC C-130 is carrying blankets, tarpaulin, sleeping bags, hygiene kits, food packets, kitchen set and solar lamps, he said. A search and rescue team as well a medical team also accompanied the flight.

The minister said India would continue to monitor the development and more aid would follow.

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar on Friday, March 28, killing around 144 people and injuring 730 others. The quake was at a depth of 10 km as per the United States Geological Survey and the epicentre was around 17.2 km from the Mandalay city. It was followed by an aftershock of 6.4 magnitude.

The earthquake was also felt in Bangkok, where at least three people died after an under-construction 30-storey building collapsed.

Both, Myanmar and Thailand, have declared a state of emergency.

Tremors were also felt in West Bengal, Meghalaya and Manipur in India, in Bangladesh and in southwestern Yunnan province in China.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had posted from his official X account saying he had asked Indian authorities to remain on standby and also told the Ministry of External Affairs to remain in touch with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand.

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