Continuing with Operation Brahma, India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has begun rescue operations at the 'U hla thein' monastery in Myanmar where around 170 monks are believed to be stuck. More than 80 monks, reportedly, died while taking exams when the monastery collapsed due to the earthquake in Mandalay.
A 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which hit Thailand too, killed over 1,600 people and injured nearly 3,000 in Myanmar. India swiftly launched its relief mission – named 'Operation Brahma' – in response to the devastation caused by the earthquake on March 28.
The army team will visit the hospital today and will set up their medical services tomorrow. “We are also trying to get the NDRF team deployed at the Sky Villa (where 4 towers of 11 storey each have collapsed). The towers have several foreigners,” the official statement said.
NDRF teams will also be deployed to the Mandalay Palace, Maha Muni Pagoda, MIIT, among other places. The statement added that the teams are also providing accommodation and food to members of Indian community.
### **Operation Brahma: India delivers relief materials, rescue teams**
India has, so far, sent relief materials, medicines, an 80-member search and rescue team from the NDRF and military field hospitals to Myanmar in three C-130J and two C-17 Globemaster aircraft. A specialised rescue team from Army's 50 (I) Para Brigade, too, has been deployed to Myanmar.
The 118-member team, including medical and communication units, landed at Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw on Saturday night.
India is also sending 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Myanmar onboard its naval ships INS Satpura and INS Savitri.