Earthquake jolts Myanmar again: Why is the country prone to quakes?

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake rattled Myanmar on Sunday morning. The epicentre was recorded in Wundwin township near Meiktila in central Myanmar. The quake comes more than two weeks after a massive 7.7 magnitude quake rocked Mandalay, killing several thousands.

Why is Myanmar prone to earthquakes?

Myanmar is located on the plate boundary between the India Plate and Eurasia Plate, which makes it among the most seismically active countries. Since the Indian plate keeps moving towards the Eurasian plate, the Sagaing Fault running through the central region of Myanmar witnesses massive quakes.

Wundwin, the epicentre of the latest quake, is located between Mandalay and Myanmar's capital Naypitaw. The depth was estimated at a depth of 20 kilometre, according to Myanmar's Meteorological Department.

No casualties were reported in Sunday's temblor. In the March 28 quake, at least 3,649 people were killed and 5,018 people were injured.

Reports said that people rushed out of their homes during the quake. Witnesses also reported damge to ceilings of buildings in the tremor.

Following the deadly earthquake in March, India was among the first nations to send aid to Myanmar. Initially, an aircraft loaded with 15 tonne of relief material was sent to Yangon. Later, two more aircraft transported NDRF personnel and the Indian Army's Shatrujeet Brigade Medical Responders to the quake-hit country.

The medical team, led by Lieutenant Colonel Jagneet Gill, provided advanced medical and surgical care as well as casualty treatment. They also set up a medical treatment centre with 60 beds to treat the injured.

India had also sent two naval ships, INS Satpura and INS Savitri, carrying humanitarian relief material weighing 40 tonne. These included tents, sleeping bags, blankets, water purifiers, hygiene kits, solar lamps and generator sets.

World