1. SUMMARY
At 1320 hrs UTC+7 on 28 March 2025, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck at a depth of 10 km, approximately 19 km northwest of Mandalay, Myanmar. This was followed by a magnitude 6.4 aftershock at the same depth just 12 minutes later, intensifying the earthquake's impact.
A series of aftershocks have occurred and are expected to continue. As of 7 April, the USGS reported 26 aftershocks of magnitude 3 or higher and 4 aftershocks of magnitude 5 or higher, capable of causing damage.
Based on ASEAN Disaster Monitoring and Response System (DMRS) data as of 8 April, 38.1 million estimated population consisting of 8.28 million households were exposed in Myanmar. Of this population, an estimated 9.44 million are vulnerable, of which 25% are children, 68% are adults, and 7% are elderly. Additionally, an estimated 404 hospitals and 1,231 schools were also exposed to ground shaking generated by the M7.7 Mandalay earthquake.
The six worst affected areas, namely Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway, Shan State, Naypyidaw, and Bago are still in state of emergency where widespread destruction has been reported, including extensive damage to transportation infrastructure, communication lines, and public facilities such as schools, religious sites, and hospitals.
Myanmar authorities, primarily through the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), are actively conducting emergency operations and assessments, providing support to the affected population, restoring critical lifelines such as transportation and communication. Emergency medical services through field hospitals and clinics, with the support of international and local medical teams, provide medical assistance to affected communities. The DDM Myanmar continues to lead the emergency response operations, as well as data collection and damage assessments.
ASEAN Member States (AMS) have actively supported Myanmar through relief and response efforts, with Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam deploying Search and Rescue (SAR) Teams and Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs). Furthermore, all ASEAN Member States have deployed ASEANERAT personnel to assist DDM Myanmar in rapid assessments and the facilitation of incoming aid.
In Thailand, tremors were felt across 63 provinces, with significant impacts reported in 18 provinces and Bangkok as reported by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). The National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Command (NDPMC) has assessed the situation and noted that it has improved as essential public utilities, transportation routes, and people's livelihoods have returned to normal. However, the search and rescue operations from the collapsed building in Bangkok continue with the Bangkok Incident Command Centre operating at full capacity. After a comprehensive assessment, the NDPMC maintains Level 2 disaster status, a medium-scale disaster.