Inspection of earthquake-hit areas: SAC Chairman made inspection of earthquake-hit areas

Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, together with council members, Union Ministers, senior military officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung, the Commander of the Central Command, and other responsible officials, visited Kyaukse in Mandalay Region on April 15 to inspect the damage caused by the recent earthquake and assess the ongoing recovery and reconstruction efforts.

First, the Prime Minister and members arrived at the Kyaukse People’s Hospital, where they observed, the medical treatment being provided to those injured in the earthquake. The Prime Minister spoke words of encouragement to the patients, reviewed the healthcare services being given, and provide cash assistance and foodstuff for the injured. They then inspected the areas of the hospital damaged by the earthquake and provided guidance for necessary repairs.

At the temporary briefing hall of Kyaukse Technological University, Pro-Rector of the university, Dr. Khin Maung Chin, presented a report on the damage to the university buildings caused by the earthquake. Following that, the Prime Minister and members visited damaged teaching facilities, site of gymnasium, student dormitories, and staff housing.

He listened to the reports from responsible personnel and gave instructions to promptly remove debris and reconstruct the damaged buildings. He also directed that schools be reopened as soon as possible and that necessary resources be provided.

The Prime Minister and members also visited Aye Mya Kyilin Ward in Kyaukse to examine the extent of earthquake damage and instructed responsible officials to fulfill the needs of affected residents.

Later, the Prime Minister arrived at Shwe Tha Lyaung Pagoda Hill to inspect the earthquake-damaged Kyauk-Thittar or stone box pagoda. They also paid homage to the Shwe Mote Htaw Pagoda, offering flowers, oil lamps, and water, and made cash donations to the pagoda's board of trustee.

The Prime Minister and members continued their inspection of the Kyauk-Thittar pagoda and, based on the reports from responsible officials, the Prime Minister instructed that drone footage be used to obtain detailed data of the site.

He emphasized that no demolition should be carried out and that concrete reinforcements should be installed from the base to ensure public safety. He also instructed preventive measures to ensure nearby marketplaces at the foot of the hill remain safe.

The Prime Minister reviewed photographic records of the damage to the pagoda and inspected the earthquake-affected Dhamma Hall at Shwe Mote Htaw Pagoda. He directed officials to clear the debris and systematically commence reconstruction efforts as soon as possible.

He also inspected repaired Buddha statues that had been previously damaged by the earthquake.

Finally, the Prime Minister and members visited the Hsin Min Cement Factory in Kyaukse, where they inspected buildings that had collapsed or been damaged in the earthquake. He instructed responsible officials to remove the debris in sections, and to repair the buildings better than before. He also directed them to expedite the process to restore factory operations and provided necessary assistance.