India Steps Up: Operation Brahma’s Next Move in Myanmar’s Earthquake Crisis

Shobhit Gupta
By
Shobhit Gupta
Senior Journalist & Political Analyst
Shobhit Gupta is a seasoned journalist and sub-editor at Buzz24Times, specializing in Indian and international affairs, political analysis, and geopolitics. With extensive experience at leading media...
- Senior Journalist & Political Analyst
8 Min Read

Operation Brahma NDRF rescuers Myanmar earthquake : India is rushing to Myanmar’s aid after a deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck on March 28, 2025. The disaster has killed over 1,000 people and injured thousands more. Operation Brahma, India’s relief mission, started with 15 tonnes of supplies. Now, two more planes and 80 NDRF rescuers are heading to the crisis zone. This article dives into the latest updates, India’s bold response, and what’s at stake for Myanmar.

Operation Brahma NDRF rescuers Myanmar earthquake

Two More Planes Take Off: India Doubles Down on Relief

India launched Operation Brahma within hours of the quake. The first IAF plane landed in Yangon on March 29, delivering tents, food, and medicines. Now, two additional IAF aircraft are set to leave Hindon Air Force Station. They carry more supplies to meet Myanmar’s growing needs. The NDRF team—80 skilled rescuers—joins them, ready to tackle collapsed buildings and save lives. This quick action follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pledge to support Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, after their call on March 29.

Operation Brahma NDRF rescuers Myanmar earthquake

The situation in Myanmar is grim. Roads are destroyed. Power is out in cities like Yangon and Mandalay. A dam burst near Mandalay has flooded areas, making rescue harder. India’s Embassy is coordinating with local officials to get aid where it’s needed most. The NDRF brings experience from past missions, like Nepal in 2015 and Turkey in 2023, to handle this chaos.

Key Facts About Operation Brahma and the Myanmar Earthquake

DetailInformation
Earthquake DateMarch 28, 2025
Magnitude7.7
EpicenterNear Mandalay, Sagaing fault line
Death Toll1,002 (as of March 29, 2025)
Injuries2,376 (as of March 29, 2025)
First Aid Delivery15 tonnes via IAF C-130J, landed Yangon, March 29
Next WaveTwo IAF planes, 80 NDRF rescuers, departing March 29
SuppliesTents, blankets, food, medicines, water purifiers
Official SourceMinistry of External Affairs
Emergency Helpline+95-95419602 (Indian Embassy in Myanmar)

Who Are the NDRF Rescuers?

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is India’s go-to team for emergencies. These 80 rescuers are trained to dig through rubble and pull people out alive. They carry tools like concrete cutters and thermal cameras to find survivors. In Myanmar, they’ll focus on hotspots like Mandalay, where a condo collapse trapped over 90 people. An NDRF officer told Hindustan Times, “We’ve done this before. We know what to do.” Their track record proves it—hundreds saved in Turkey’s 2023 quake show their skill.

Why Myanmar Needs Operation Brahma Now

Myanmar can’t handle this alone. The earthquake hit a country already split by civil war. Hospitals are overwhelmed or destroyed. The junta’s temporary setup at Mandalay Airport isn’t enough—the runway is cracked, and flights are grounded. Aftershocks, including a 6.7-magnitude hit, keep shaking the region. India’s aid—food, shelter, and rescuers—fills a gap other nations haven’t yet reached. China and Russia have promised help, but India’s planes are landing first.

Why Myanmar Needs Operation Brahma Now

Timeline of India’s Response to Myanmar’s Earthquake

Date/TimeAction
March 28, 20257.7-magnitude earthquake strikes Myanmar
March 29, 2025 (morning)First IAF plane delivers 15 tonnes of aid to Yangon
March 29, 2025 (midday)Two more IAF planes prepared at Hindon Air Force Station
March 29, 2025 (evening)80 NDRF rescuers scheduled to arrive in Myanmar
March 29, 2025PM Modi speaks with Min Aung Hlaing, pledges full support
March 29, 2025Embassy sets up helpline for Indian nationals
March 29, 2025Aftershocks (6.7 magnitude) reported across Myanmar
March 28–29, 2025Tremors felt in Thailand, Bangladesh, and India’s Northeast
March 29, 2025MEA shares updates on X about Operation Brahma
OngoingNDRF targets rescue in Mandalay and Naypyidaw

How India’s Past Prepares It for This Mission

India has a history of stepping up. Operation Dost sent aid to Turkey in 2023. Nepal got help in 2015 after its quake. Now, Operation Brahma builds on that. The NDRF knows how to work fast in tough conditions. Myanmar’s mix of war and disaster makes this harder, but India’s team is ready. The two planes and rescuers show India means business—lives are on the line, and they’re not waiting.

Operation Brahma

What’s Next for Myanmar and India’s Role

The death toll will climb unless rescues speed up. Myanmar’s junta has asked for help, a rare move. India’s NDRF rescuers will hit the ground running, starting with Mandalay’s worst-hit areas. The two IAF planes will keep supplies flowing. Other countries are joining in—Malaysia and the UN have pledged support—but India’s head start matters. Readers, have you followed India’s aid missions before? This one’s shaping up to be a big deal.

The region isn’t safe yet. The Sagaing fault line could trigger more quakes. Thailand felt the tremors too, with a building collapse in Bangkok. India’s Northeast reported shakes but no major damage. Operation Brahma isn’t just about Myanmar—it’s about showing strength in a shaky part of the world.

Conclusion

Operation Brahma is India’s answer to Myanmar’s earthquake nightmare. The first 15 tonnes of aid landed fast. Now, two more planes and 80 NDRF rescuers are on the way. Myanmar faces a double blow—quake damage and war chaos—but India’s response is clear: help now, help big. The NDRF will dig out survivors. The planes will deliver essentials. This mission saves lives today and proves India’s reliability tomorrow.

What is Operation Brahma?

It’s India’s relief mission for Myanmar’s March 28, 2025, earthquake. It started with 15 tonnes of aid and now includes two more planes and 80 NDRF rescuers.

How bad was the Myanmar earthquake?

The 7.7-magnitude quake killed over 1,000 people, injured 2,376, and destroyed buildings across Myanmar, with aftershocks still hitting on March 29.

What does the NDRF do in Myanmar?

The 80 rescuers search collapsed structures, like Mandalay’s Sky Villa Condo, using specialized gear to save trapped survivors. They arrive by March 29 evening.

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Shobhit Gupta is a seasoned journalist and sub-editor at Buzz24Times, specializing in Indian and international affairs, political analysis, and geopolitics. With extensive experience at leading media houses, including Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV, he has covered key policy decisions, elections, and global diplomatic trends, providing in-depth, well-researched insights.
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