On 28 March 2025, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7, striking at a depth of 10 km, hit central Myanmar at around 12.50 local time. The tremor caused devastating losses, significantly impacting human life, infrastructure, and agricultural livelihoods in several townships in Mandalay and Sagaing states/regions. The Data in Emergencies (DIEM) team at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) examined satellite images immediately following the earthquake to understand the impact. This StoryMap provides a rapid assessment of the potential impact of the earthquake on agriculture and livelihoods in Myanmar.
Key highlights
- According to preliminary analyses, the exposed population to the earthquake in Myanmar is over 9 million people (over VI earthquake intensity classes).
- The most exposed population was in Mandalay (4.6 million people), Sagaing (2.7 million people) and Magway (866 777 people) states/regions. Mandalay, Shwebo, Pyinoolwin, Meiktila, Pakokku, Monywa and Myingyan were the most exposed districts.
- Over 3.7 million ha of cropland were exposed to the earthquake.
- The most potentially affected states/regions in terms of exposed cropland in hectares were Sagaing (1.5 million ha), Mandalay (1.4 million ha), Shan (431 000 ha) and Magway (389 000 ha). The most potentially affected cropland areas, in which more than 80 000 ha of cropland was exposed, were found in Kanbalu, Wetlet, Nawnghkio, Wundwin, Natogyi, Tabayin, Khin-U, Shwebo, Budalin, Myaing and Sagaing townships.
- Based on the analyses, Shwebo, Kyaukse, Pakokku, Sagaing and Myingyan were the most potentially affected townships in terms of oilseed exposure. Pakokku, Mahaaungmyay, Pale, Pyinoolwin, Singu, Sagaing, Patheingyi, Myittha, Kyaukse, Yesagyo and Madaya are the most potentially affected townships in terms of rice exposure. The areal coverage of oilseed and rice in these townships account for 65 percent of the total area covered by those crops in Mandalay, Magway and Sagaing regions.
- The earthquake occurred in a high livestock density area. Based on the findings, over 3.6 million cattle were exposed to the earthquake in Myanmar. Madaya, Sintgaing, Ngazun, Myittha, Kyaukse, Sagaing, Ayadaw, Patheingyi, Singu, Shwebo, Yesagyo and Wundwin were the most potentially affected townships in terms of the number of cattle exposed to the earthquake.