The death toll from the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar 10 days ago has risen to at least 3,514, with another 210 people still missing, according to figures released by Myanmar’s military government on Monday.
Most casualties were reported in and around Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city, where over 2,100 deaths have been confirmed.
Relief efforts have been severely hampered by ongoing heavy rainfall and wind, which have damaged tents and makeshift medical facilities set up by international teams. Meteorologists warn of increased risks of flooding and landslides as the rainy season approaches.
Authorities have declared search-and-rescue operations complete, shifting focus to recovery and clean-up. Reports indicate morgues are overwhelmed, with mass cremations being carried out in open areas.
In many parts of the disaster zone, the smell of decaying bodies hangs heavily in the air, making it difficult for aid workers and residents to remain. Continued aftershocks have left many too afraid to return to their homes, forcing them to sleep outdoors.
The situation is compounded by frequent aftershocks and internet outages, which continue to disrupt communication and aid coordination.
The destruction in some areas is catastrophic, with up to 80% of infrastructure in the city of Sagaing destroyed, according to the newspaper The Irrawaddy. The humanitarian situation remains dire, particularly for vulnerable populations in the conflict-ridden nation.
Heavy machinery is used to clear away wreckage from the State Audit Office construction site collapse in Bangkok, caused by the March 28th 7.7 earthquake in neighbouring Myanmar. Adryel Talamantes/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa