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Myanmar Earthquake Devastates Mandalay: City Grapples with Rising Death Toll and Humanitarian Crisis
Mandalay, once celebrated as the ‘city of gold’ for its resplendent pagodas and sacred Buddhist sites, is now overwhelmed by the stench of death as Myanmar confronts the catastrophic aftermath of a powerful earthquake. The earthquake, which struck last Friday, has unleashed widespread destruction across the region, especially in Mandalay, leaving residents to navigate a severe humanitarian crisis.
City of Gold Turns City of Grief
The former royal capital, Mandalay, is struggling to manage an overwhelming number of fatalities. “So many corpses have accumulated since the magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck near Mandalay last Friday, that they are being cremated in piles,” a local resident reported, highlighting the scale of the disaster.
Casualties Mount as Relief Efforts Struggle
The official death toll from the seismic event and subsequent aftershocks has tragically surpassed 2,700, according to Myanmar’s military leadership, who also reported over 4,500 injuries and hundreds still unaccounted for. Authorities anticipate these figures will continue to climb as rescue operations progress and the full extent of the devastation becomes clear. This escalating casualty count underscores the urgent need for effective disaster relief.
Sleepless Nights and Dwindling Supplies
Residents of Myanmar’s second-largest city describe nights spent in anguish, wandering through streets as essential supplies of food and potable water rapidly diminish. The lack of sleep and dwindling resources are compounding the suffering in the earthquake aftermath.
Personal Loss Amidst National Tragedy
The Mandalay resident who recounted the mass cremations personally experienced the tragedy, losing her aunt in the seismic disaster. “Her remains were only recovered from the debris two days later, on March 30th,” stated J, a 23-year-old student who wished to remain partially anonymous.
Infrastructure and Conflict Hamper Rescue Operations
Fragile infrastructure and ongoing civil conflicts are significantly impeding relief efforts in Myanmar, a nation where the military regime has historically suppressed the true scope of national crises. As rescue teams gain access to more collapsed structures and isolated areas, the death toll is projected to further increase. The challenging conditions are hindering the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid.
Desperate and Sleep-Deprived Residents
J, residing in Mandalay’s Mahaaungmyay district, described feeling “dizzy from severe sleep deprivation.” The relentless aftershocks and precarious living conditions are taking a heavy toll on the mental and physical well-being of the survivors.
Living in Fear of Aftershocks
Many displaced residents are now living in makeshift tents or completely exposed to the elements along roadways, fearful that their damaged homes will not withstand further tremors. The constant threat of aftershocks keeps the population in a state of perpetual anxiety and vulnerability.
Public Displays of Grief
“I have witnessed numerous individuals, including myself, collapsing and weeping openly in the streets,” J recounted, emphasizing the profound emotional impact of the catastrophe on the community.
Glimmers of Hope Amidst Devastation: Survivors Rescued
Despite the widespread despair, glimmers of hope persist as survivors continue to be located. The fire service announced the rescue of 403 individuals in Mandalay over the preceding four days, along with the recovery of 259 bodies. However, there is a widespread belief that the actual casualty figures far exceed official reports.
Conflicting Estimates of the Death Toll
In a televised address given on Tuesday, military chief Min Aung Hlaing suggested that fatalities could surpass 3,000. Conversely, the US Geological Survey issued a statement on Friday indicating that “a death toll exceeding 10,000 is a strong possibility,” based on the earthquake’s magnitude and location. The discrepancy in these estimations highlights the uncertainty and potential scale of the tragedy.
Children Traumatized by the Disaster
Young children have been particularly traumatized by this devastating disaster. The psychological scars from witnessing such destruction will likely be long-lasting.
Personal Accounts of Loss and Trauma
A local pastor shared with the BBC the anguish of his eight-year-old son, who has spontaneously burst into tears repeatedly in recent days. The boy witnessed sections of his neighborhood instantly reduced to rubble.
Witnessing Death and Feeling Helpless
“He was upstairs in his bedroom when the earthquake struck, and my wife was tending to his younger sister when debris fell on him,” explained Ruate, who provided only his first name. “Yesterday, we witnessed bodies being removed from collapsed buildings in our area,” added Ruate, a resident of the Pyigyitagon area in southern Mandalay.
“It is deeply sobering. Myanmar has endured so many calamities, both natural and human-made. Everyone is simply exhausted. We are overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness and helplessness,” he lamented, capturing the collective sentiment of a population weary from repeated crises in Myanmar.
Grim Discoveries at Collapsed Condominium
A monk residing near the Sky Villa condominium, one of the most severely damaged buildings, reduced from 12 to six stories by the seismic activity, informed the BBC that while some individuals were initially extracted alive, “only deceased bodies have been retrieved” in the last 24 hours. The building has become a symbol of the earthquake’s destructive power in Mandalay.
Overwhelmed Crematoriums and Supply Shortages
“I hope this ordeal will soon be over. There are still numerous [bodies] inside, I estimate more than a hundred,” the monk conveyed with a sense of urgency and despair.
Crematoriums in the vicinity of Mandalay are operating beyond capacity, while authorities are facing shortages of essential supplies, including body bags, food, and potable water. The logistical challenges are adding to the distress of the situation.
Mandalay’s Former Glory Diminished
Around the city, the remnants of shattered pagodas and golden spires litter the streets. While Mandalay was once a prominent hub for crafting gold leaf and a sought-after tourist destination, poverty levels in the city, and across Myanmar (formerly Burma), have dramatically increased in recent years. The earthquake has exacerbated the already dire economic conditions.
Myanmar’s Pre-existing Crisis Amplified
The recent earthquake, felt also in Thailand and China, has had a particularly devastating impact on Myanmar, a nation already reeling from a brutal civil conflict, a collapsed economy, and widespread public discontent following the military coup of 2021. The disaster has compounded the existing humanitarian crisis.
National Mourning Amid Ongoing Turmoil
On Tuesday, Myanmar observed a minute of silence to honor the victims, as part of a week of national mourning. The ruling junta mandated flags to be flown at half-mast, media broadcasts to be suspended, and urged citizens to offer their respects. This period of mourning unfolds against a backdrop of continuing political and social unrest in Myanmar.
Mass Displacement and Exodus Worsen Relief Capacity
Even prior to the earthquake, over 3.5 million individuals were internally displaced within the country, a consequence of the ongoing conflict and instability.
Further exacerbating the situation, thousands more, predominantly young people, have sought refuge abroad to evade forced military conscription. This exodus has resulted in a reduced workforce available to contribute to relief work and the subsequent reconstruction of the nation.
International Aid Arrives, but Relief Slow to Reach
Russia and China, key allies in supporting Myanmar’s military regime, are among the nations that have pledged aid and specialist resources. International assistance is crucial for the earthquake relief efforts.
However, J noted that the delivery of relief supplies has been slow. The logistical bottlenecks and bureaucratic hurdles are delaying vital aid from reaching those in desperate need.
Overwhelmed and Exhausted Relief Teams
“[The rescue teams] have been working ceaselessly for four days, and I believe they are understandably fatigued. They also require rest,” J acknowledged, expressing concern for the well-being of the first responders.
“Given the extensive scale of the damage and our limited resources, it is simply challenging for relief workers to effectively manage such immense destruction,” she concluded, highlighting the sheer magnitude of the task facing responders in the wake of the Myanmar earthquake.
Restrictions on Humanitarian Access
While the junta has publicly stated that all forms of assistance are welcomed, reports from humanitarian workers indicate obstacles in gaining access to earthquake-stricken areas. The junta’s pronouncements of open access are not fully translating into practical reality on the ground.
Bureaucratic Hurdles and Military Control
Local media based in Sagaing, the location of the earthquake’s epicenter, have reported restrictions imposed by military authorities. These restrictions necessitate organizations to submit detailed lists of volunteers and aid supplies intended for the affected region. These bureaucratic procedures are slowing down the delivery of crucial aid and impeding the speed of relief operations.
Human Rights Groups Urge Unfettered Aid Access
Numerous rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have urgently called upon the junta to grant immediate and unrestricted access for aid workers to these devastated regions. The international community is increasingly concerned about the junta’s control over humanitarian aid.
Junta Accused of Prioritizing Control Over Aid
“Myanmar’s military junta continues to instill fear, even following a horrific natural disaster that has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries,” stated Bryony Lau, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch. The junta’s actions are being viewed through the lens of its history of repression and control.
Call for Junta to Change Course
“The junta must break from its deplorable past practices and ensure that humanitarian aid rapidly reaches those whose lives are in imminent danger in earthquake-affected areas,” Lau asserted, emphasizing the need for a fundamental shift in the military’s approach to disaster response.
Ongoing Conflict in Earthquake Zone
The junta is also facing criticism for continuing military offensives against villages even as the nation grapples with the aftermath of the disaster. Large swathes of Sagaing remain under the control of resistance groups. The ongoing conflict is further complicating relief efforts in the earthquake zone.
Rebel Ceasefires Amidst Military Attacks
A commander within the People’s Defence Forces (PDF), a network of pro-democracy civilian groups, informed the BBC about ongoing ground assaults by the military. The military’s actions are undermining any semblance of national unity in the face of the disaster.
Opposition Respects Ceasefire, Military Allegedly Does Not
Rebel commander Min Naing, leading 300 fighters, reported that his forces were refraining from retaliation, stating their adherence to a two-week ceasefire declared by the opposition National Unity Government in the wake of the earthquake. However, accusations are mounting that the military is not reciprocating the ceasefire, and continuing its attacks.
Ceasefire by Ethnic Armed Groups
The Three Brotherhood Alliance, composed of three ethnic armed groups also opposing the junta, similarly announced a month-long cessation of hostilities, explicitly aiming to facilitate relief efforts. These groups are demonstrating a different approach to humanitarian concerns compared to the junta.
Reports of Continued Military Actions
Meanwhile, BBC Burmese reported ongoing drone attacks and aerial bombardments in Kachin and Shan states. These reports suggest a disconnect between ceasefire declarations and the realities on the ground, raising concerns about the junta’s commitment to prioritizing earthquake relief over military objectives in Myanmar.