Myanmar’s deadly quake : A deep loss of heritage, lives
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Phyo Lin Aung (NP News)
On 28th March 2025, it was a tragic day for Myanmar. In just a few minutes, the lives of many people, the country's resources, and its heritage were destroyed. Whether a country is rich or poor, powerful or not, the devastating force of a natural disaster like an earthquake cannot be stopped. We can only minimize the damage.
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar at 12:51 pm on March 28 resulted in the loss of 2,886 lives, with 4639 others injured as of 2nd April 2025 8:00 am. The mortality rate is increasing in the ongoing rescue operations. Additionally, many people are still missing. In short, this powerful earthquake has led to the loss of countless lives, irreplaceable historic heritage, and valuable infrastructure.
The earthquake caused significant damage, especially to cultural and historical heritage sites in Myanmar, particularly in cities like Sagaing, Mandalay and Naypyidaw. Other cities, such as Pyin-Oo-Lwin, Kyaukse, Inle and additional towns, were also affected. However, the irreplaceable losses were mostly seen in Sagaing, Mandalay and Naypyidaw, where destruction was the most severe and impossible to restore. These areas hold deep historical significance and are home to numerous cultural monuments, making the damage even more heartbreaking.
Especially, the Mahamuni Buddha Temple, a revered symbol of Myanmar's rich heritage, suffered significant damage, with the temple’s roof and entrance structures collapsing. As a result, the area around the temple was severely affected. Since our childhood, whenever we visited Mandalay, a trip to the Mahamuni Temple was always a must, and it became a key destination for us. But now, we are unsure when we will be able to visit the pagoda again or whether we will ever witness it in its former glory. The uncertainty surrounding its restoration is heartbreaking, and it is a reminder of how much we have lost due to the earthquake.
Furthermore, the Palace Moat, an iconic landmark in Mandalay, also collapsed. This is an immense loss that is invaluable to the people of Myanmar. Additionally, the Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda, which we have known since childhood, along with the famous Shwe Sar Yan Pagoda Festival, has now been severely damaged and collapsed. These losses are deeply felt, as they are not just physical structures, but part of the cultural and spiritual fabric of Myanmar.
In the region of Inwa, a cultural heritage area, many historical sites like the Me Nu Brick Monastery, Lay Htat Gyi Temple, and Nan Myint Tower have been severely affected by the powerful earthquake. These monuments, which have stood for over a thousand years, will no longer be available for future generations to study and appreciate.
Similarly, in Sagaing, a place where Buddhist cultural heritage has flourished, historic sites like the Hsinbyume Pagoda (also known as the Mya Thein Tan Pagoda), the Sun U Ponnyashin Pagoda, and the Kaungmudaw Pagoda, which have existed for many years, were destroyed in a matter of minutes. These are irreplaceable losses that deeply impact our cultural and spiritual heritage.
These tragic losses are not just the destruction of buildings; they are the erasure of significant parts of our history and traditions that can never be recovered. The feeling of loss is profound, as these places were living embodiments of Myanmar’s rich history and Buddhist culture.
Not only have we lost cultural heritage sites, but also critical infrastructure. The Inwa Bridge (also known as the old Sagaing Bridge) and the Duthawadi Bridge have collapsed, while the Yadanabon Bridge (new Sagaing Bridge), which was an essential part of public transportation, has also suffered severe damage. This has created significant difficulties in providing humanitarian aid and rescue support to those affected.
Moreover, hotels, condominiums, office buildings, mosques, hospitals, roads and numerous residential buildings have also been destroyed. As a result, the people affected by the earthquake are now left homeless, without shelter, and forced to live on the streets, struggling for their basic needs, both day and night. The situation has become a dire crisis, with the affected communities facing overwhelming challenges in rebuilding their lives.
However, isn’t survival more important than just living? Many lives were lost under the rubble of buildings due to the earthquake. Even those who survived are now pleading for assistance to sustain their lives. Despite being a developing nation, we face challenges like ongoing armed conflicts, natural disasters, and global pandemics, which have left our country struggling in poverty.
As a result, our rescue efforts have been hindered by a lack of modern equipment and tools, and internal divisions have weakened our ability to unite for effective rescue operations. Many local rescue teams have struggled to arrive in time to provide the necessary help.
Consequently, we have lost invaluable human resources—our future generations, the vibrant and energetic youth, our trusted elderly, and our monks, who are the pillars of our society. It will take many years to rebuild and nurture these lives again. For the country, this has been an immense loss of human resources.
The international community is providing support to Myanmar in terms of rescue teams, relief supplies, and financial assistance to help with the rescue efforts. In addition, local business leaders, entrepreneurs, and artists, along with the government, are doing their best to help the country recover and rebuild from this devastating situation.
However, when facing natural disasters, we have to go through four key stages: rescue, relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. At this point, Myanmar is still in the rescue stage. To move forward through the remaining three stages, we will need significant financial aid, as well as technical assistance and skills.
The journey ahead is long and challenging, and it will require continued support from both within the country and the international community to restore and rebuild what has been lost.
In these stages, can other countries assist Myanmar? India has already pledged to support Myanmar through the reconstruction stage. According to an interview with Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur on March 31, concerning “Operation Brahma”—an initiative by the Indian government to assist Myanmar following the earthquake—it was stated that India will continue to help Myanmar throughout the reconstruction process. Similarly, other neighbouring countries, ASEAN partners, and even distant friendly nations are expected to continue providing support to Myanmar to recover from the earthquake and address the subsequent challenges.
We humbly request assistance from these nations. With their help, Myanmar, a small country still facing developmental challenges and disaster risks, can continue to stand strong in the international community alongside its partners. This collaboration is essential for Myanmar to overcome the devastating effects of the earthquake and ensure a better future for its people.