Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes near Mandalay, Myanmar; PM says India ready to help
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, at 12:50 pm local time (11:50 am IST) on 28 March 2025, causing heavy damage in Myanmar and shaking Bangkok; Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India stood ready to help.
Summary
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar near Mandalay on 28 March 2025 at 06:20:52 UTC, which was 12:50 pm local time and 11:50 am IST, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The shallow quake, at a depth of about 10 km, caused heavy damage in Myanmar and was felt as far away as Bangkok, Thailand. USGS researchers later found that it ruptured about 475 km of the Sagaing Fault, more than twice the length expected for its magnitude, at supershear speed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern the same day, said India stood ready to offer all possible assistance, asked authorities to be on standby and asked the MEA to stay in touch with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand. India launched Operation Brahma the next day.
Key facts
- Date and time
- 28 March 2025, 06:20:52 UTC (12:50 pm Myanmar time; 11:50 am IST)
- Magnitude
- 7.7 (USGS)
- Epicentre
- Near Mandalay, central Myanmar
- Depth
- About 10 km
- Fault
- Sagaing Fault; about 475 km ruptured (USGS study)
- Felt in
- Thailand, including Bangkok
- India's response
- PM offered all possible assistance; Operation Brahma launched on 29 March
Practice MCQs 4 questions
What was the magnitude of the earthquake that struck near Mandalay, Myanmar, on 28 March 2025, as recorded by the USGS?
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Correct answer: C — 7.7
The USGS recorded the 28 March 2025 Mandalay earthquake at magnitude 7.7.
The Myanmar earthquake of 28 March 2025 occurred at 06:20:52 UTC. What was the time in India (IST)?
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Correct answer: B — 11:50 am
IST is UTC + 5:30, so 06:20 UTC was 11:50 am IST. Myanmar time (UTC + 6:30) was 12:50 pm.
On 28 March 2025, PM Narendra Modi asked the MEA to remain in touch with the governments of which two countries after the earthquake?
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Correct answer: D — Myanmar and Thailand
The PM asked the MEA to remain in touch with the governments of Myanmar and Thailand, both hit by the earthquake.
Consider the following statements about the 28 March 2025 Mandalay earthquake: 1. It ruptured about 475 km of the Sagaing Fault, as found by USGS researchers. 2. It was a deep-focus earthquake, originating more than 300 km below the surface. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
USGS researchers found a rupture of about 475 km on the Sagaing Fault. The quake was shallow (about 10 km deep), not deep-focus.