Myanmar has declared a week of national mourning following the devastating earthquake that has claimed the lives of over 2,000 people, as rescue efforts continue amid overwhelming challenges. Authorities announced that national flags will fly at half-mast until April 6 in tribute to the victims of the 7.7-magnitude quake, which struck the region on March 28.

As the search for survivors continues in the rubble of collapsed buildings, the urgency of rescue operations is winding down in Mandalay, the second-largest city in Myanmar, with over 1.7 million residents. “The situation is so dire that it’s hard to express what is happening,” said Aung Myint Hussein, chief administrator of Mandalay’s Sajja North mosque.

With ongoing aftershocks and fears of further collapses, many survivors have been camping out in the streets, hesitant to return to damaged homes. The junta has reported that the death toll has reached 2,056, with more than 3,900 injured and approximately 270 people missing.

Among the confirmed dead are three Chinese nationals and two French citizens. In neighboring Thailand, the quake led to the collapse of a 30-storey tower, resulting in at least 19 fatalities, with over 75 people still unaccounted for.

Efforts to provide aid are hampered by infrastructural damage, with many rescue teams struggling to access the worst-affected regions. The United Nations and various countries, including India and China, have pledged aid, but the scale of destruction remains unclear.

The conditions for survivors are dire, with Mandalay's general hospital having evacuated patients outdoors due to damage, leaving many exposed to the harsh sun. Despite these challenges, daily life is slowly returning to the streets of Mandalay, where local vendors are beginning to resume operations.

As recovery teams work tirelessly, the situation underscores the urgent need for international assistance in this already troubled nation. The World Health Organization has reported critical shortages in medical supplies, further complicating the humanitarian response.

More information about these developing events can be found in the full article on Channel News Asia.