Heavy rain and harsh weather conditions are adding to the challenges of relief efforts in Myanmar, where the death toll from the devastating March 28 earthquake has now reached 3,471, with 4,671 people injured and 214 still missing. The 7.7-magnitude earthquake caused widespread destruction, particularly in the city of Sagaing near the epicenter and in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city.
The earthquake led to widespread building collapses, power outages, and destroyed bridges and roads, leaving many residents homeless. Many people have been forced to sleep in tents, as their homes have either been completely destroyed or are too unstable to occupy. On Saturday evening, heavy rain and winds lashed the tent cities in Mandalay, soaking people and their belongings due to a shortage of tarpaulins.
Tun Tun, a specialist at the UN Development Programme, warned that rain and the risk of collapsing buildings make body recovery efforts even more difficult. “The weather is very extreme,” he told AFP, as further rain is expected, along with rising temperatures reaching 37°C (98°F). Aid experts also express concern that the combination of rain and intense heat increases the risk of disease outbreaks in the temporary shelters.
The United Nations has called for urgent aid, with food, water, and power repairs needed immediately. UN aid chief Tom Fletcher, who visited Mandalay, described the damage as “epic” and emphasized the need for more tents to provide shelter to survivors.
Myanmar, under the military rule of General Min Aung Hlaing since 2021, has faced significant challenges in coordinating international aid due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing civil conflict. Prior to the earthquake, the country had already been dealing with a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 3.5 million displaced due to internal conflict. Despite a temporary ceasefire declared by the junta, military actions against rebel groups have continued, further complicating relief efforts.
Aftershocks continue to strike the region, with a 4.7-magnitude tremor hitting south of Mandalay late Friday. In the midst of the disaster, General Min Aung Hlaing attended a regional summit in Bangkok, where he faced protests from anti-junta groups who condemned his attendance.
