Massive 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Myanmar, Strong Tremors Shake Bangkok

The world was shaken by a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar, sending massive tremors across the border into Thailand. The impact of this earthquake was widely felt, especially in Bangkok, where people experienced severe shaking, building evacuations, and disruptions in daily life. One such person caught in the middle of the chaos was Prem Kishore Mohanty, an Indian resident of Bangkok, who was at his daughter’s school when the tremors hit. His firsthand account of the earthquake provides a glimpse into the terror and confusion that gripped the city.

A Normal Day Turns Into Chaos

March 28 was supposed to be just another regular day for Prem Kishore Mohanty, a 44-year-old Indian expatriate living in Bangkok. He was attending a sports day event at his daughter’s school when he felt the ground shake violently beneath him. What started as a minor tremor soon intensified, sending shockwaves through the entire city.

"I felt my head spinning, and I had to sit down. I could see the overhead lights swaying, and the chairs moving," Mr. Mohanty recalled. The school’s public announcement system quickly responded, urging everyone to evacuate to an open field. Parents and students rushed to safety, avoiding nearby high-rise buildings that were swaying dangerously.

Videos soon emerged showing water cascading down from rooftop swimming pools in Bangkok’s skyscrapers, including the luxury InterContinental Hotel. The earthquake’s force had caused the pools to overflow, creating waterfall-like scenes from the upper floors of tall buildings.

Widespread Panic and Disruptions

Bangkok, a city more accustomed to monsoons and tropical heat, rarely experiences major earthquakes. The unexpected tremors brought the city to a complete standstill. Public transport was immediately suspended, major roads were clogged with traffic, and people were seen gathering outside buildings, too afraid to go back inside.

For Mr. Mohanty and his family, which includes his 5-year-old daughter and 42-year-old wife, the earthquake was a terrifying experience. "It was scary and confusing. The initial feeling was one of shock. But we are doing fine now," he said.

Evacuations across Bangkok were carried out swiftly. Residents of high-rise apartments were instructed to take the stairs and assemble outside, as elevators were immediately shut down. Those on higher floors felt the strongest jolts. "The low-rise buildings were not affected that much, but yes, there has been some effect on high-rise ones. On the higher floors, some people are saying that their belongings fell out of cupboards and pipelines have burst," Mr. Mohanty explained.

Authorities warned residents to stay alert for potential aftershocks, as there was a risk of additional tremors following such a strong earthquake. After local inspections, Mr. Mohanty and his family were allowed back into their apartment. Though the building remained structurally intact, visible cracks had appeared on some walls.

Buildings Collapse, Casualties Reported

The devastation was not limited to minor damages. In the northern part of Bangkok, a massive 30-storey government office skyscraper that was still under construction collapsed, trapping at least 43 workers beneath the rubble. Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to search for survivors.

The Thai government declared a state of emergency following the disaster, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra cutting short an official visit to Phuket to lead an emergency response meeting. While Thailand does have earthquake protocols in place due to past disasters, such a major tremor in Bangkok was unexpected.

Meanwhile, across the border in Myanmar, where the earthquake had its epicenter, the impact was even more severe. Reports of casualties began to emerge, with at least 20 people confirmed dead and many others injured. In China’s Yunnan province, the tremors were also felt, registering at a magnitude of 7.9 according to Beijing’s earthquake monitoring agency.

Embassy Issues Advisory for Indian Citizens

With thousands of Indian expatriates living in Bangkok and other parts of Thailand, the Indian Embassy quickly issued an advisory for its citizens. The statement assured that, so far, no Indian nationals had been reported injured. However, the embassy urged all Indians in the country to remain cautious and contact emergency services if needed.

"After powerful earthquake tremors recorded in Bangkok and in other parts of Thailand, the Embassy is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Thai authorities. So far, no untoward incident involving any Indian citizen has been reported. In case of any emergency, Indian nationals in Thailand are advised to contact the emergency number +66 618819218," the statement read.

A Rare But Serious Threat

While earthquakes are common in Myanmar due to the presence of the Sagaing Fault, a major geological fault line, they are far less frequent in Thailand. Historically, Myanmar has experienced devastating earthquakes, including six tremors of magnitude 7.0 or higher between 1930 and 1956.

This latest earthquake has served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters. Although Thailand is not known for frequent seismic activity, the city of Bangkok has now faced a wake-up call. Structural engineers and city planners may need to reconsider building regulations and earthquake preparedness measures to prevent future casualties.

Moving Forward

As Bangkok slowly recovers from the unexpected disaster, residents remain on edge, fearing potential aftershocks. Authorities are inspecting buildings to assess damages, while emergency responders continue their search-and-rescue efforts at the collapsed construction site.

For Mr. Mohanty and many others, life will eventually return to normal, but the memory of this terrifying day will not fade easily. "I never thought I would experience something like this in Bangkok. It makes you realize how fragile everything can be," he said.

As the world watches, Thailand and Myanmar continue to assess the full extent of the earthquake’s damage. While major metropolises like Bangkok may not be used to such natural disasters, the importance of preparedness and rapid response has never been clearer.