Operation Brahma: India responds to Myanmar quake, sends 80 NDRF personnel for search and rescue

After sending three tranches of humanitarian aid to Myanmar following a deadly earthquake, India has sent an NDRF team to the neighbouring country's capital Naypyitaw. The death toll in the earthquake has crossed 1,000 and more than 2,300 have been injured.

Union Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar said 80 NDRF personnel were sent to Naypitaw for search and rescue operations in the quake-hit country. India had launched Operation Brahma to support Myanmar following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake. Strong tremors were reported in Meghalaya and Manipur.

Earlier, three Indian Air Force aircraft, including IAF C 130 J, were loaded with 1,500 tonne of relief material each and sent to Yangon, according to reports. These included solar lamps, food packets, hygiene kits, generators, essential medicines, tents, blankets, sleeping bags and kitchen sets.

When the first tranche was sent, Jaishankar shared a video of Indian relief material reaching Myanmar. “First tranche of humanitarian aid from India has reached the Yangon Airport in Myanmar,” the minister posted.

Taking to X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India acts as a First Responder to assist the people of Myanmar affected by yesterday's massive earthquake,"

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he spoke to Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing to express solidarity. “As a close friend and neighbour, India stands in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in this difficult hour,” Modi posted on X.

“Disaster relief material, humanitarian assistance, search & rescue teams are being expeditiously dispatched to the affected areas as part of #OperationBrahma,” the PM added.

The United Nations has allotted $5 million to help Myanmar in relief efforts. Russia, China and Singapore have also sent their disaster response teams to the quake-hit nation.