The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released satellite imagery highlighting the extensive damage caused by the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, which has claimed over 2,000 lives. The 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, with the epicenter near Mandalay, the country's second-largest city. It was followed by multiple aftershocks, which led to significant damage, including the destruction of the city's airport, the buckling of roads, and the collapse of numerous buildings across a wide area.

ISRO's CARTOSAT-3 satellite, an advanced third-generation satellite with high-resolution imaging capabilities, captured the post-earthquake images on March 29 over Mandalay and Sagaing cities. Pre-event data from March 18 was also used for change analysis and damage assessment. The satellite imagery revealed severe damage to infrastructure in Mandalay, with landmarks such as the Sky Villa, Phayani Pagoda, Mahamuni Pagoda, Ananda Pagoda, and the University of Mandalay experiencing partial or complete destruction. In Sagaing, damage was noted in the Ma Shi Khana Pagoda, as well as several monasteries and other buildings.

One of the most striking observations was the total collapse of the historic Ava (InnWa) Bridge over the Irrawaddy River near Inn Wa City. The imagery also showed cracks, ground ruptures, and liquefaction in the flood plains of the Irrawaddy River. ISRO reported that the earthquake caused substantial damage to cities like Mandalay and Naypyidaw, as well as other regions, resulting in the collapse of infrastructure, roads, and residential buildings. The tremors were felt not only across Myanmar but also in neighboring countries, with the shockwaves reaching as far as Chiang Mai and northern Thailand, where damages were also reported.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ISRO.