'First Responder:' Indian Aid, Rescue Team Reached Myanmar

India acted as the "first responder" after devastating earthquakes left nearly 700 dead and over a thousand injured in Myanmar yesterday. About 15 tonnes of relief material on board an Indian Air Force cargo plane landed in Yangon this morning, as part of 'Operation Brahma' to provide relief to millions of survivors in the neighbouring country.

While, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Saturday informed that an 80-member NDRF search and rescue team also departed for Myanmar.

Indian authorities asserted that this was only the first tranche of relief, suggesting more would follow. "Operation Brahma - India acts as a First Responder to assist the people of Myanmar affected by yesterday's massive earthquake. Our first tranche of 15 tonnes of relief material, including tents, blankets, sleeping bags, food packets, hygiene kits, generators, and essential medicines has landed in Yangon," said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs.

The relief material includes tents, sleeping bags, blankets, ready-to-eat meals, water purifiers, hygiene kits, solar lamps, generator sets, and essential medicines, including Paracetamol, antibiotics, canula, syringes, gloves, cotton bandages, and urine bags.

The US and several other countries have also offered to assist after a call for help from Myanmar authorities.

A series of powerful earthquakes rocked Myanmar and neighbouring Thailand yesterday, leaving a trail of destruction. Several buildings collapsed, leaving people without a roof. The junta said about 694 people died in the tragedy while 1,670 were injured.

India dispatches first tranche of urgent humanitarian aid for the people of Myanmar. Just a few hours after the earthquakes struck, India extended a helping hand with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that his government was ready to offer all assistance.