On March 29, 2025, India launched “Operation Brahma” to provide emergency assistance to Myanmar following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28. The disaster has caused widespread destruction, with Myanmar’s military junta reporting 1,644 deaths and 3,408 injuries as of today, though the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that the toll could exceed 10,000 based on predictive modeling. This figure remains a preliminary estimate, and the true scale of the catastrophe is still unfolding due to damaged infrastructure and communication challenges in remote areas.
Under Operation Brahma, India has swiftly mobilized significant resources to aid its neighbor. The operation began with the dispatch of 15 tonnes of relief material—including tents, blankets, food packets, and essential medicines—via an Indian Air Force aircraft from Hindon Air Force Base, arriving in Yangon by 8 AM today. Two naval ships, INS Satpura and INS Savitri, carrying 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid, also set sail for Yangon, with two additional ships planned to follow. Additionally, India deployed an 80-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team to Nay Pyi Taw for search and rescue operations, alongside a 118-member Indian Army field hospital unit from the Shatrujeet Brigade, led by Lieutenant Colonel Jagneet Gill. This medical team, airlifted to Mandalay, will establish a 60-bed treatment center to provide trauma care and emergency surgeries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Myanmar, speaking with military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and affirming India’s commitment as a “first responder.” The operation reflects India’s broader policy of rapid humanitarian response, as seen in past efforts like Operation Dost for Turkey and Syria in 2023. Named after the Hindu god of creation, Operation Brahma symbolizes India’s intent to support Myanmar’s recovery amid this crisis, which has been compounded by the country’s ongoing civil war and damaged infrastructure, including roads and hospitals, hindering relief efforts.
While the headline suggests 10,000 are “feared dead,” current confirmed figures are lower, and the higher estimate remains speculative, pending further updates from rescue operations and official reports. India’s response, however, is already in full swing, delivering critical aid and personnel to address the immediate needs of the affected population.
By BHARAT GLOBAL TIME
