Quake Aftermath in Mandalay: SAC Chairman inspects relief and rescue measures

On 28th March, a severe 7.7 magnitude earthquake and small aftershocks struck Myanmar with major damages of infrastructures and losses of lives and properties in Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, Magway Region, Shan State (Northeast), Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory and Bago Region.
At present, rescue forces are deployed in respective earthquake hit areas to ensure the provision of requisite disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.
In the morning on 29th March, Chairman of the Sate Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing accompanied by concerned officials oversaw the damages and losses caused by earthquakes in Mandalay Region by Tatmadaw aircrafts.
At the central command, the Senior General heard reports on ongoing rescue and relief measures within the region and stressed on expediting systematic rescue process, requisite healthcare provisions in timely manner and fatality planning.
The Prime Minister also emphasized on providing temporary shelters for the quake victims with necessary water and electricity access, speedy restoration of air transportation infrastructures for uninterrupted relief measures.
The Prime Minister later oversaw the collapse of Palace Wall, damages of roads and residential buildings in downtown Mandalay as well as the collapse of Mandalay University main building and damages by fire outbreak. He also instructed to expedite the rescue measures, along with the reconstruction works.
On arrival at the old airport facility in Chan Mya Thazi Township, the Prime Minister oversaw the preparations for setting up the temporary hospital to provide medical treatment to the affected victims. The Prime Minister later inspected the damages of ancient infrastructures inside the palace wall.
Due to the earthquake, the clock tower and relic tower as well as Si Shay Gateway. At Mandalay General Hospital, the Prime Minister comforted the patients and instructed to provide health care services in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the Directorate of Defence Services Medical Services, while setting up the temporary hospitals and transfer to the defence services hospitals.
The Prime Minister and party later arrived at the temporary shelter in Chan Aye Thazan Township and provided relief supplies, provided by the Disaster Management Department under the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. They then inspected the damages at the eastern stairway of Maha Myat Muni Pagoda, and the collapse of Sagaing Bridge (Innwa) on Sagaing-Mandalay old road.
The Prime Minister instructed for speedy renovation works since it is the only rail bridge, connecting Mandalay and Myitkyina. They then arrived at Masoeyein Taik Thit in Maha Aung Myay Township, and oversaw the damages caused by the earthquake. They also provided basic requirements including water and electricity access, and speedy clearance of debris.
At the annex building of the Pariyatti Sasanahita Association, the Prime Minister oversaw the rescue measures for the exam taker monks who have been trapped under the collapsed rubbles. He also provided to speed up the rescue measures.
On arrival at the Sky Villa in Aung Myay Thazan Township, the Prime Minister inspected the collapsed buildings and coordinated the needs for rescue measures.
The Prime Minister later held a meeting with the Chief Ministers of Mandalay and Sagaing Regions ad officials at the Central Command Headquarters. He instructed for accurate data collection, speedy process of health treatment to the injured victims, systematic clearing of debris, ensuring the safety of the affected individuals. He also stressed the need to carry out systematic renovation works of Mandalay University main building without damaging its original style and to provide assistance for foods, shelters and other social mattes of affected people.
The Union Minister and officials provided update reports on rescue and rehabilitation measures, information and educative activities and work undertakings. They then proceeded to the Mandalay International Airport after making an aerial view of the damages in Mandalay. They then oversaw the damages of airport runway, and instructed for effective rescue works.
As of Saturday, a total of 1,644 people reported death with more than 3,408 injured and 139 reported missing. Likewise, the Union Ministers who accompanied the Prime Minister’s tour also inspected the damages and provided the needs.