The death toll from a 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar ten days ago has risen to at least 3,515, with 210 people still missing, according to figures released by Myanmar’s military on Monday.
Most of the victims are in and around Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city. More than 2,100 people have died there.
Rescue efforts are being hampered by heavy rains and winds that have damaged tents and field hospitals set up by international teams. Meteorologists are warning of the possibility of flooding and landslides due to the upcoming rainy season.
Authorities have declared an end to search and rescue operations and are shifting their focus to recovery and clearing rubble. Reports show that morgues are overflowing and mass cremations are taking place in the open, dpa reported.
The stench of corpses hangs in the air in many affected areas, making it difficult for aid workers and residents to stay. Due to the many aftershocks, some residents are afraid to return to their homes, so they sleep in the open.
In addition to new earthquakes, the situation is also threatened by frequent internet outages that disrupt communication and air coordination.
In parts of Myanmar, the situation is catastrophic. The Irrawaddy newspaper writes that more than 80 percent of the infrastructure of the city of Sagaing has been destroyed.
The humanitarian situation remains difficult, primarily for vulnerable groups in this country affected by internal conflicts.
