Efforts to locate survivors from the devastating earthquake in Myanmar last month are beginning to diminish.The focus of the rescue operation is shifting towards an increase in relief and recovery efforts, as the death toll from the disaster has exceeded 3,500 and continues to climb.
In the capital city of Naypyitaw, residents have been clearing debris and gathering wood from their damaged homes, while soldiers worked to remove rubble from several Buddhist monasteries.
The Myanmar Fire Services Department reported that teams have recovered 10 bodies from the debris of a collapsed building in Mandalay, the nation’s second-largest city.
The number of rescue teams operating in residential neighborhoods of Naypyitaw has been gradually decreasing.
The 7.7-magnitude earthquake affected a large area of Myanmar, causing substantial damage across six regions and states.
The tremor on March 28 left many locations without electricity, telephone, or mobile service, and severely damaged roads and bridges, complicating the assessment of the full extent of the devastation.
Over the weekend, heavy rain and wind further disrupted rescue and relief efforts, exacerbating the plight of the homeless who were forced to sleep outdoors.
This week, scattered showers and thunderstorms are predicted across the nation.
One of many buildings in Mandalay that sustained damage from the earthquake
Meanwhile, accusations have been exchanged between Myanmar’s military government and its armed opponents regarding breaches of ceasefire agreements intended to facilitate earthquake relief efforts.
The country has been in turmoil since the army’s 2021 takeover that ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, prompting nationwide peaceful protests that escalated into armed resistance, resulting in a situation resembling civil war.
Even though the military and its adversaries announced unilateral ceasefires for a limited time, reports of ongoing conflict are prevalent, with particular scrutiny on the military for continuing aerial bombardments, as reported by independent Myanmar media and eyewitnesses.
Verifying reports of fighting is challenging due to the remoteness of many conflict areas and the restrictions placed on journalists.
