India rushes relief, teams under ‘Op Brahma’

India has swiftly mobilised a multi-agency relief effort under “Operation Brahma” for Myanmar after a powerful earthquake struck the country on Friday. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has flown three sorties, delivering tonnes of emergency supplies, while two warships — INS Savitri and INS Satpura — are en route from Visakhapatnam, expected to reach Yangon by March 31. Two more vessels will soon depart from Port Blair.

A 118-member Army medical task force, led by Lt Col Jagneet Gill, is set to arrive in Myanmar tonight aboard two IAF C-17 aircraft. Equipped with mobile X-rays, dental units and an operational theatre, the team includes specialists in medicine, anesthesia and orthopedics. The Army will also set up a 60-bed field hospital to handle trauma and emergency surgeries.

An 80-member NDRF team with search-and-rescue dogs has reached Myanmar and will soon head to Mandalay, the quake’s epicentre. “The next 24-48 hours are critical for finding survivors,” said NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahedi.

The aid includes generators, hygiene kits, food packets, medicines and kitchen sets. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted severe infrastructure damage in Mandalay, where assistance would be crucial.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, expressing condolences and pledging India’s full support. No Indian casualties have been reported so far, with New Delhi in close touch with community organisations.  “India stands in solidarity with Myanmar,” Modi affirmed, as relief efforts continue to scale up based on needs.