Myanmar’s darkest hour: Earthquake kills thousands, rains could make it worse

Myanmar's deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake has claimed over 3,000 lives, with 351 missing and 4,500 injured. As rescue efforts face civil unrest, unseasonal rains threaten survivors. Global aid arrives, while Myanmar's junta declares a ceasefire to support relief efforts.

The death toll from Myanmar’s devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake has surged past 3,000, with 351 people still missing and over 4,500 injured. The quake, one of the country’s strongest in a century, struck last Friday, reducing communities to rubble and leaving millions without essential supplies.

Rescue operations have been complicated by ongoing civil unrest, and the situation is set to worsen with unseasonal rains forecasted from April 7 to April 11. The hardest-hit areas, including Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyidaw, face an increased risk of flooding, making rescue efforts more challenging. Aid workers warn that those trapped under debris could drown if heavy rains arrive.

International support has been mobilised, with 53 aid airlifts and nearly 2,000 rescue workers deployed from 15 countries, including China, India, and Russia. In response, Myanmar’s military junta declared a 20-day ceasefire to facilitate relief efforts, following a similar move by a major rebel alliance.

Meanwhile, in Thailand, rescuers are still searching for survivors after a skyscraper collapse, which killed 15 people, bringing the country’s death toll to 22. With hundreds still missing, the humanitarian crisis in the region deepens.

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