India was among the first nations to lend a helping hand to Myanmar, which has been struck by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake and several aftershocks that were measured above 6.0 magnitude. In total, India has sent 157 tonne of relief material to Myanmar.
The death toll has reached 1,644 on Sunday morning while 3,408 have been injured. At least 139 people were missing.
The Ministry of External Affairs launched Operation Brahma to provide aid to the quake-hit neighbouring nation. Two naval ships, INS Satpura and INS Savitri, laden with humanitarian relief material weighing 40 tonne set sail for Yangon on Saturday. They will arrive the destination on March 31. Two more ships from Sri Vijaya Puram under Andaman and Nicobar command are expected to leave for Yangon soon.
On Saturday early morning, India had sent its first aircraft loaded with 15 tonnes of relief material around 3 am from Hindon Air Force Base, Ghaziabad. It reached Yangon by 8 am.
Later, an 80-member NDRF team was flown to Naypyitaw for search and rescue operations on two aircraft. They are supported by canine squads to find people trapped in debris and also equipped with concrete cutters and drill machines to rescue the victims.
Two other flights headed for Mandalay deployed 118 medical personnel from the Indian Army's Shatrujeet Brigade Medical Responders. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Jagneet Gill, the team will provide advanced medical and surgical care. They are also setting up a medical treatment centre in Mandalay with a capacity of 60 beds. The makeshift hospital will be able to carry out emergency surgeries and casualty treatment.
The UK has pledged $12.9 million in aid for Myanmar while China has promised $13.8 million in assistance. Beijing has also sent 82 rescue personnel to Myanmar while Hong Kong sent 51 personnel, two search and rescue dogs and 9 tonnes of equipment.
The National Unity Government (NUG), a group that is fighting the ruling junta in Myanmar, has declared a unilateral ceasefire to allow relief efforts in the country.
In neighbouring Thailand, the death toll touched 17. At least 32 were injured and 83 were missing.