Myanmar’s government is rebuilding after a powerful earthquake struck the country.
The quake, measuring 7.7 magnitude, caused widespread destruction in Naypyidaw, the capital city.
Many government buildings, including ministries and courts, suffered significant damage.
Some offices have already relocated to Yangon, the former capital, while others are temporarily operating in makeshift spaces.
Assessing the Damage
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Myanmar’s military leader, said during a government meeting that many buildings collapsed due to being built on soft soil.
The government plans to rebuild offices with earthquake-resistant structures.
Soil tests will be conducted before construction begins.
According to BBC reports, around 70% of government buildings in Naypyidaw were damaged.
The Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Planning, and the Union Judiciary are among the affected buildings.
The earthquake’s impact was felt far beyond Myanmar’s borders.
The quake was felt in Thailand and China.
Myanmar reported over 3,500 deaths and 5,012 injuries.
Naypyidaw, built in 2005, is a planned city with wide roads and grand infrastructure.
It is four times larger than London but has a much smaller population.
Rebuilding Efforts
The road ahead is long. Repairing Naypyidaw will take years.
The Foreign Ministry and Tourism Ministry have already moved to Yangon.
Other government agencies are operating in temporary outdoor structures made of steel frames.
The city’s unique character, with its broad avenues and symbolic landmarks, was designed to showcase its status as the capital.
The earthquake has put this vision to the test.
The source of this information is BBC.