India has launched Operation Brahma, a large-scale humanitarian relief mission, to assist Myanmar in the aftermath of a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck on Friday, leaving over 1,000 people dead and thousands injured.
India’s relief efforts include the deployment of an 80-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) search and rescue team, a 118-member Army field hospital, and the transportation of 50 tonnes of relief materials via Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft and Navy warships.
Swift Response: First Rescue Team to Reach Myanmar
The first IAF aircraft carrying 15 tonnes of relief materials, including food and medical supplies, took off from Hindon Airbase at 3 AM on Saturday and reached Yangon by 8 AM IST. By 7:30 PM IST, a C-130 aircraft transported the NDRF team to Naypyidaw, where Myanmar officials received them. This team, which specializes in urban search and rescue, will be deployed to Mandalay, one of the worst-affected areas, making it the first foreign rescue team to arrive at the disaster zone.
“The golden hours for rescue operations are the first 24 to 48 hours after a disaster, and we will be actively working to find survivors,” said NDRF Deputy Inspector General Mohsen Shahedi.
Massive Relief Effort by India
India has mobilized its Army, Navy, and Air Force to deliver humanitarian assistance:
- IAF will conduct five sorties using C-130J and C-17 transport aircraft to airlift relief materials, the NDRF team with a dog squad, and the Army’s 118-member field hospital team with specialized equipment.
- Four Indian Navy warships will carry 50 tonnes of relief materials from Port Blair and Visakhapatnam to Yangon. Two warships have already departed and are expected to reach Myanmar by March 31.
“This mission is part of our commitment to being the first responder in times of crisis. When we say ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The world is one family), we mean it,” said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
India Stands in Solidarity with Myanmar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Myanmar’s military junta leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, to express condolences and pledge India’s support.
“India stands with Myanmar in this difficult hour. Disaster relief materials, humanitarian aid, and rescue teams are being dispatched as part of #OperationBrahma,” Modi said in a social media post.
Indian Army’s Medical Assistance
The Indian Army’s 118-member field hospital, which was also deployed during Operation Dost in Turkiye (2023), will set up a fully functional medical unit in Myanmar, complete with an operation theatre, X-ray facilities, and specialist doctors. Six medical officers, including two women, are part of the team, and additional field hospitals are on standby if required.
Death Toll Expected to Rise
The earthquake, Myanmar’s deadliest in over a century, flattened buildings in multiple cities, with Mandalay suffering the most damage. The Myanmar military junta has confirmed 1,002 deaths in Mandalay alone, with nearly 2,400 people injured. The true extent of destruction remains unknown due to communication disruptions.
The tremors were felt as far as Bangkok and parts of India’s Northeast, with at least 10 casualties reported in Thailand’s capital.
Ongoing Relief Operations
India has delivered essential supplies such as:
- Blankets, tents, hygiene kits, solar lamps
- Ready-to-eat meals, water purifiers, medical supplies
- Generators and sanitization kits
The Indian Embassy in Myanmar is coordinating further aid shipments. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that additional relief will be sent as needed.
India has a long-standing record of disaster response in the Indian Ocean region, previously launching Operation Sadbhav in September 2023 to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar following Typhoon Yagi.
With Operation Brahma, India reaffirms its commitment as a first responder in times of crisis, providing swift humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to its neighbors.
Sources By Agencies