Days after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake rattled Myanmar and Thailand and killed over 2,000 people, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released satellite images highlighting the widespread destructions. The images showed Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, registered severe damage.
The powerful earthquake was followed by a strong aftershock of magnitude 6.4. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre was located at a depth of 10km near Sagaing-Mandalay border. The imapct of the quake led to the collapse of infrastructure, roads and residential buildings.
About ISRO's Cartosat-3
As per the official website of ISRO, the .
According to ISRO, Cartosat-3, which was launched in 2019, is a third generation agile advanced earth imaging satellite. The satellite is known to capture images at a resolution of less than 50 centimetres. With the help of the cutting edge technology, ISRO managed to capture photos from a 500 kilometre altitude above the earth.
The images show how a huge bridge over the Irrawaddy River collapsed. The damages to the Mandalay University and collapse of the Ananda Pagoda are also highlighted.
The satellite also acquired pre-earthquake data covering the affected area which was later used in the visual presentation of change analysis and assessment of damage.
Images Show Widespread Destruction
The satellite images depicted widespread damaged and destructions in Myanmar's second largest city Mandalay. Major landmarks such as Sky Villa, Phayani Pagoda, Mahamuni Pagoda and Ananda Pagoda, University of Mandalay and several other structures displayed either complete or partial damage.
In Sagaing city, the Ma Shi Khana Pagoda and several monasteries and other buildings were damaged.
Moreover, the strong earthquake also led to the collapse of the historic Ava (InnWa) Bridge on the Irrawaddy River, near Inn Wa City. Cracks in flood plains of the Irrawaddy river with associated liquefaction were also observed.
