State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing inspects damaged buildings in the walls of the royal palace in Mandalay yesterday.
The very strong earthquake and its aftershocks on 28 March destroyed roads, bridges and buildings in Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway and Bago regions, northeastern Shan State and Nay Pyi Taw Council Area, leaving some people dead and injured. Currently, search and rescue operations are being conducted in relevant areas.
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing yesterday morning inspected damage and losses in the earthquake-affected areas in Mandalay Region.
At the meeting hall of the Central Command Headquarters, Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung, Sagaing Region Chief Minister U Myat Kyaw, the commander of Central Command and officials reported to the Senior General on losses and damage in the earthquake and ongoing search and rescue operations.
In his response, the Senior General said that it is necessary to take immediate action regarding search and rescue operations, ensuring that the injured are transported as quickly as possible to the nearest hospitals or clinics to receive the required medical care from both Tatmadaw and civilian medical professionals. Proper arrangements should also be made for the dignified burial of the deceased. Those facing difficulties in finding shelter due to the damage and losses should be provided with temporary housing, similar to the arrangements made during the COVID-19 outbreak, as quickly as possible by the responsible authorities. It is necessary to systematically clear debris from collapsed buildings as quickly as possible. Taking lessons from this incident, old buildings must be checked under quality control while new buildings must be supervised to meet the set standards. Arrangements must be made for victims from the quake-affected areas to have accommodation, water and power supply. Airports and runways must be improved to effectively carry out search and rescue operations in relevant regions.
The Senior General viewed round collapsed buildings along the walls of the royal palace, damage to buildings and roads in Mandalay City, the collapse of the main building at Mandalay University, and the outbreak of fire. He instructed officials to expedite the search and recovery of individuals trapped in collapsed buildings, conduct search and rescue measures on priority, and reconstruct academic and health buildings as quickly as possible while conforming to the outlined standards.
SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing looks into the searching for monks in the damaged buildings at the annexe to Pariyatti Sasanahita Association in Mandalay.
The Senior General inspected arrangements to open a temporary hospital and relief camp for providing medical treatment to the injured people at the old airport in Chanmyathazi Township and gave necessary guidance.
He also looked into damaged buildings in the walls of the royal palace, and damaged parts of the wall near Sishay Gate and along the walls.
At Mandalay General Hospital, the Senior General viewed round medical treatment for the patients who sustained injuries in the earthquake and offered support the patients. The Senior General urged the Ministry of Health and the Directorate of Medical Services to jointly provide healthcare to the injured as quickly as possible and instructed officials to transport the patients to Tatmadaw hospitals and temporary hospitals to solve difficulties in medical treatment for the patients.
At the temporary relief camp at the corner of 73rd and 30th streets in Chanayethazan Township, the Senior General presented relief items provided by the Disaster Management Department to quake victims.
He also inspected the collapse of the eastern stairway of Maha Muni Buddha Image and Sagaing rail-cum-Bridge (Inwa) on the Sagaing-Mandalay Highway. He instructed officials to repair the railway which link Mandalay and Myitkyina as quickly as possible.
On arrival at Masoeyein Taikthit in Mahaaungmyay Township, the Senior General viewed the damage and losses in the earthquake and sought the advice of the Presiding Patron of the monastery Sayadaw Bhaddanta Vasettha Bhivamsa and gave instructions to officials on the supply of water and electricity for the monastery, and clearing debris from the collapsed buildings.
At the annexe to Pariyatti Sasanahita Association of Mandalay, the Senior General looked into the collapses of the four-storey building and searched for monks in the damaged buildings. He urged officials to accelerate search and rescue operations.
At Sky Villa in Aungmyethazan Township, the Senior General fulfilled the needs for search and rescue operations for the loss and damage in the earthquake.
At the meeting hall of the Central Command Headquarters, the Senior General met with Mandalay Region Chief Minister U Myo Aung, Sagaing Region Chief Minister U Myat Kyaw and officials. He said that it is necessary to continue verifying and collecting accurate records of deaths, injuries, and missing individuals by respective regions and states. It is also essential to distribute and provide prompt medical treatment to those injured through hospitals, clinics, and temporary medical centres. Additionally, all military and civilian hospitals, as well as healthcare workers, must work together in a coordinated and efficient manner to ensure effective medical response. All Tatmadaw and civilian hospitals and health staff have to harmoniously emphasize healthcare services for injured victims in earthquakes. It is necessary to systematically and urgently remove the collapsed and partially damaged buildings to ensure safety in the surrounding areas. Only by doing so can the environment be free from hazards. Arrangements must be made to systematically accommodate those residing in temporary shelters. The damaged main building of Mandalay University needs to be reconstructed as soon as possible while maintaining its original structure. The reconstruction must ensure durability and a safe design. Furthermore, necessary measures should be taken to support the earthquake-affected people by providing food, shelter, and other essential social services.
The government must continue efforts with full dedication to rebuild and restore roads, bridges, and government buildings destroyed by the earthquake. This will require significant financial resources, manpower, and machinery. Moreover, cleaning and restoration efforts must be carried out swiftly. When distributing relief supplies, it is essential to ensure that all affected individuals receive what they rightfully deserve in an organized and systematic manner. Proper records must be maintained to prevent duplication and to ensure that no one is left out. All responsible authorities must act with strict discipline to ensure fairness and transparency. The authorities have to undertake extensive restoration efforts and prioritize tasks to ensure the fastest possible recovery.
SAC Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing encourages an injured victim in the earthquake at Mandalay General Hospital.
Union ministers and officials reported on relief and rehabilitation for the affected areas, public awareness measures, and requirements of the work process. The Senior General attended to the needs.
The Senior General flew over Mandalay City to inspect the loss, damage and collapse of Sagaing Bridge (Inwa). He also viewed some damaged parts of the runway at Mandalay International Airport and gave guidance to officials to immediately repair the damaged parts.
According to the latest collected records up to the present time, a total of 1,644 people died and 3,408 were injured, and 139 missing due to the earthquake across all affected regions nationwide. Detailed records are still being gathered.
Union Ministers Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, U Tin Oo Lwin, Dr Nyunt Pe and Dr Thet Khaing Win who accompanied the Senior General inspected the damage to relevant ministries and fulfilled the requirements.
