ISRO’s Earthquake Satellite Imagery Enhances Humanitarian Efforts in Myanmar
After the devastating earthquake struck Myanmar on March 28, 2025, ISRO’s satellite imagery became an indispensable tool in helping disaster response teams understand the full scale of the damage. With a magnitude of 7.8, the earthquake affected both urban and rural areas, causing significant loss of life and property.
The high-resolution images captured by ISRO’s Cartosat satellites have allowed authorities and humanitarian organizations to effectively plan relief operations. These images have offered critical insights into the damage, including the destruction of homes, roads, and vital infrastructure, while also identifying areas that require immediate attention.
Focus Areas of Damage:
- Collapsed infrastructure: Key transportation routes were severely damaged by the earthquake, with numerous bridges, roads, and railways rendered impassable. Satellite images provided by ISRO allowed teams to identify detours and safe routes for delivering aid.
- Rural destruction: The rural regions of Myanmar were also hit hard by the earthquake, with entire villages flattened and agricultural systems destroyed. Satellite imagery identified the most isolated areas, enabling aid organizations to prioritize these locations for relief efforts.
Supporting Recovery Operations:
The satellite data from ISRO has been vital for coordinating the massive humanitarian response in Myanmar. By pinpointing damaged infrastructure, collapsed buildings, and affected populations, the imagery has guided efforts to provide food, medical care, and shelter to those in need.
