India Sends NDRF Team for Earthquake Relief Efforts in Myanmar

India is sending 80 NDRF personnel to Myanmar for earthquake relief under ‘Operation Brahma’. They will use advanced rescue equipment and rescue dogs. This follows a devastating quake that resulted in over 1,002 deaths in Myanmar. India has a history of international disaster assistance and has also sent relief supplies to Myanmar.

India is deploying a team of 80 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to assist with earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar. This deployment is part of ‘Operation Brahma’, which includes advanced rescue equipment such as concrete cutters, drill machines, and hammers. The contingents are being airlifted to Myanmar via two sorties from the Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Hindon, Ghaziabad, with an expected arrival by Saturday evening.

Commandant P K Tiwary, leading the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, has also included rescue dogs for operations aimed at locating survivors in collapsed structures, adhering to the standards set by the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG). The high-intensity earthquake hit Myanmar and Thailand on Friday, with Myanmar suffering significant losses, including over 1,002 fatalities and extensive structural damage.

India has previously sent NDRF teams to assist during disasters, such as the 2015 Nepal earthquake and the 2023 earthquake in Turkiye. Additionally, Indian authorities dispatched approximately 15 tonnes of relief material to Yangon via a C130J military transport aircraft on the same day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sympathy for the victims and affirmed India’s commitment to providing necessary support to both Myanmar and Thailand in their time of need.

India’s swift response to the earthquake disaster in Myanmar demonstrates its commitment to international humanitarian assistance, through the deployment of the NDRF and provision of relief materials. The ongoing support showcases India’s regional solidarity and readiness to extend aid in emergencies, emphasizing historical contexts of collaboration between the neighboring nations.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com