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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

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.