International: A magnitude 4.7 earthquake struck Afghanistan early Saturday morning, with its epicentre located at a depth of 180 km.
The National Centre for Seismology reported the quake occurred at 5:16 am IST, with coordinates 36.50 N latitude and 71.12 E longitude.
Meanwhile, Myanmar is reeling from a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit the region on March 28, followed by a 6.4 magnitude aftershock. The disaster has claimed the lives of at least 144 people and injured over 730, with the toll expected to rise as rescue efforts struggle to reach remote areas.
The earthquake’s impact was felt beyond Myanmar’s borders, with eight people killed in Thailand after an under-construction skyscraper collapsed in Bangkok, trapping over 117 workers. In Myanmar, buildings in five cities and towns have collapsed, along with two major bridges on the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway. The iconic Ava Bridge, a 90-year-old landmark in Mandalay, fell into the Irrawaddy River, while historic structures like the Mandalay Palace clock tower have been severely damaged.
Myanmar’s military government has declared a state of emergency in six regions, including Sagaing, Mandalay, and Naypyidaw. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but the destruction of key roads and bridges has left thousands of internally displaced people stranded, making operations increasingly challenging. A Red Cross official has warned that large-scale dams in Myanmar could be at risk, raising fears of further devastation.