Operation Brahma

Source: DTE

Context: A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Mandalay, Myanmar, killing over 140 people and causing structural damage across Myanmar and neighbouring countries.

• India has launched Operation Brahma, sending humanitarian aid and relief supplies to the affected region.

About Myanmar:

• Location: Southeast Asia, between latitudes 10°N to 28.5°N

• Capital: Nay Pyi Taw (declared in 2006, replacing Yangon)

• Neighbouring Countries: India, China, Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos. Bordered by Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal to the south.

• India, China, Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos.

• Bordered by Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal to the south.

• Geological Features:

• Mountain Ranges: Northern Mountains (Mount Hkakabo, 5,881 m – highest peak). Western Ranges (Patkai, Naga, Chin, Rakhine Hills). Shan Plateau (Eastern uplands with steep ranges and deep valleys). Major Rivers: Irrawaddy River (Main navigable river). Chindwin, Sittang, and Salween Rivers drain different physiographic zones.

• Mountain Ranges: Northern Mountains (Mount Hkakabo, 5,881 m – highest peak). Western Ranges (Patkai, Naga, Chin, Rakhine Hills). Shan Plateau (Eastern uplands with steep ranges and deep valleys).

• Northern Mountains (Mount Hkakabo, 5,881 m – highest peak).

• Western Ranges (Patkai, Naga, Chin, Rakhine Hills).

• Shan Plateau (Eastern uplands with steep ranges and deep valleys).

• Major Rivers: Irrawaddy River (Main navigable river). Chindwin, Sittang, and Salween Rivers drain different physiographic zones.

• Irrawaddy River (Main navigable river).

• Chindwin, Sittang, and Salween Rivers drain different physiographic zones.

Why Myanmar Experiences Frequent Earthquakes?

• Tectonic Plates Involved:

• Lies on the collision zone between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. Earthquakes occur due to strike-slip faulting caused by horizontal movement of plates.

• Lies on the collision zone between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate.

• Earthquakes occur due to strike-slip faulting caused by horizontal movement of plates.

• Sagaing Fault:

• A major active fault running north to south through central Myanmar. Acts as a boundary between the Indian Plate (moving north) and the Eurasian Plate.

• A major active fault running north to south through central Myanmar.

• Acts as a boundary between the Indian Plate (moving north) and the Eurasian Plate.

About Operation Brahma:

• Launched by the Indian Air Force using C-130J aircraft.

• First batch: 15 tonnes of relief material and includes search and rescue personnel and medical teams.