In brief
In the aftermath of the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar, information about the disaster's impacts remains scarce, particularly due to the country’s stringent internet censorship. Since the military coup in 2021, the junta has frequently shut down access to the internet and social media platforms, leaving the country isolated. This has hindered both communication and the flow of essential aid following the quake that affected neighboring areas, with reports being more prevalent from Thailand than from inside Myanmar.
The earthquake hit near Mandalay at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time, triggering concerns about damages that have yet to be fully assessed due to connectivity issues. Even the government struggled to maintain an online presence after the quake, as various official websites became inaccessible. As Paul Mozur and Adam Satariano report, these information barriers represent a stark contrast to pre-coup Myanmar, where social media was a primary source for news and updates during national crises. With the eruption of this recent disaster, the silenced voices of the country raise serious concerns about the scale of the tragedy and the effective mobilization of aid efforts.
