NEW DELHI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released satellite images capturing the extensive damage caused by the powerful earthquake in Myanmar, which claimed over 1,700 lives. The images, taken by the Cartosat-3 earth imaging and mapping satellite, provide a stark before-and-after view of the destruction.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, causing severe structural damage. Tremors were felt across the capital, Naypyidaw, and other regions, leading to widespread destruction of roads, buildings, and critical infrastructure. Neighboring countries, including Thailand, also experienced the quake’s impact, with reports of tremors causing structural damage in Chiang Mai and other northern areas.

ISRO explained that Myanmar’s location near the convergent boundary of the Indian and Eurasian plates makes it highly susceptible to seismic activity. The Sagaing Fault, a major strike-slip fault running through central Myanmar, likely played a role in triggering the quake by releasing accumulated stress along the fault lines.

Satellite imagery revealed significant destruction in Mandalay, with key landmarks such as Sky Villa, Phayani Pagoda, Mahamuni Pagoda, Ananda Pagoda, and the University of Mandalay suffering extensive damage. In Sagaing, major sites including the Ma Shi Khana Pagoda, monasteries, and several buildings were affected.

One of the most striking images captured was the complete collapse of the historic Ava (InnWa) Bridge over the Irrawaddy River near Inn Wa City. Additionally, ISRO’s imagery showed ground ruptures and cracks in the floodplains of the Irrawaddy River, with signs of liquefaction caused by the intense shaking.

The deadly earthquake, followed by a 6.4-magnitude aftershock, had its epicenter at 22.013°N, 95.922°E, at a depth of 10 km near the Sagaing-Mandalay border, further exacerbating the destruction.