The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released high-resolution satellite images revealing the widespread destruction caused by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar on Friday, March 29. The powerful quake, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock, resulted in severe infrastructure damage, including the collapse of the historic Ava (InnWa) Bridge and major destruction in Mandalay and Sagaing.
ISRO’s Cartosat-3 Captures Post-Earthquake Devastation
Using ISRO’s Cartosat-3 Earth imaging satellite, which provides images with a resolution of less than 50 cm, ISRO captured the extent of the destruction from an altitude of 500 km above the Earth. The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), a division of ISRO, acquired these images on Saturday, March 30, and compared them with pre-earthquake images taken on March 18 for a comprehensive damage assessment.
Earthquake impact on Sagaing city
The images reveal:
- Collapse of the Ava (InnWa) Bridge over the Irrawaddy River.
- Severe damage to Mandalay University and other educational institutions.
- Destruction of iconic pagodas, including the Ananda Pagoda, Phayani Pagoda, and Mahamuni Pagoda.
- Cracks and liquefaction in the Irrawaddy River flood plains.
- Infrastructure collapse in Sagaing city, affecting Ma Shi Khana Pagoda, monasteries, and other buildings.
Myanmar Earthquake: Location, Impact, and Regional Tremors
The epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of 10 km, near the Sagaing-Mandalay border, a highly active seismic region due to the Sagaing Fault—a major strike-slip fault accommodating movement between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. Myanmar is located near the convergent boundary of these plates, where the Indian Plate moves northward at about 5 cm per year.
Also Read: Myanmar earthquake: Rescue ops continue but hopes to find survivors diminish; toll at 1,700
The quake not only shook Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, but also Naypyidaw, the country’s capital. Tremors were felt in neighboring countries, reaching northern Thailand and cities like Chiang Mai, where some infrastructure damage was reported.
India Among the First to Provide Earthquake Relief to Myanmar
Following the disaster, India was one of the first countries to send rescue teams and aid to Myanmar. The Indian government has extended humanitarian assistance, reinforcing its commitment to regional disaster response.
The ISRO satellite images provide critical data for post-disaster relief efforts, helping authorities assess damage and strategize rebuilding initiatives.
