Earthquake in Myanmar, 28 March 2025

On 28 March 2025, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7, striking at a depth of 10 km, hit central Myanmar at around 12.50 local time. The tremor caused devastating losses, significantly impacting human life, infrastructure, and agricultural livelihoods in several townships in Mandalay and Sagaing states/regions. The Data in Emergencies (DIEM) team at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) examined satellite images immediately following the earthquake to understand the impact. This StoryMap provides a rapid assessment of the potential impact of the earthquake on agriculture and livelihoods in Myanmar.

Key highlights

• According to preliminary analyses, the exposed population to the earthquake in Myanmar is over 9 million people (over VI earthquake intensity classes).
• The most exposed population was in Mandalay (4.6 million people), Sagaing (2.7 million people) and Magway (866 777 people) states/regions. Mandalay, Shwebo, Pyinoolwin, Meiktila, Pakokku, Monywa and Myingyan were the most exposed districts.
• Over 3.7 million ha of cropland were exposed to the earthquake.
• The most potentially affected states/regions in terms of exposed cropland in hectares were Sagaing (1.5 million ha), Mandalay (1.4 million ha), Shan (431 000 ha) and Magway (389 000 ha). The most potentially affected cropland areas, in which more than 80 000 ha of cropland was exposed, were found in Kanbalu, Wetlet, Nawnghkio, Wundwin, Natogyi, Tabayin, Khin-U, Shwebo, Budalin, Myaing and Sagaing townships.
• Based on the analyses, Shwebo, Kyaukse, Pakokku, Sagaing and Myingyan were the most potentially affected townships in terms of oilseed exposure. Pakokku, Mahaaungmyay, Pale, Pyinoolwin, Singu, Sagaing, Patheingyi, Myittha, Kyaukse, Yesagyo and Madaya are the most potentially affected townships in terms of rice exposure. The areal coverage of oilseed and rice in these townships account for 65 percent of the total area covered by those crops in Mandalay, Magway and Sagaing regions.
• The earthquake occurred in a high livestock density area. Based on the findings, over 3.6 million cattle were exposed to the earthquake in Myanmar. Madaya, Sintgaing, Ngazun, Myittha, Kyaukse, Sagaing, Ayadaw, Patheingyi, Singu, Shwebo, Yesagyo and Wundwin were the most potentially affected townships in terms of the number of cattle exposed to the earthquake.

On 28 March 2025, a strong earthquake with very high macroseismic intensity – categorized at 7.7 magnitude – hit central Myanmar at around 12.50 local time. The epicentre of the earthquake was located around 16 km northwest of Sagaing city and 19 km northwest of Mandalay city as given in the map below.

Based on the findings, over 3.7 million ha of cropland were exposed to the earthquake.

The most potentially affected states/regions in terms of exposed cropland in hectares were Sagaing (1.5 million ha), Mandalay (1.4 million ha), Shan (431 000 ha) and Magway (389 000 ha).

The most potentially affected cropland areas, in which more than 80 000 ha of cropland was exposed, were found in Kanbalu, Wetlet, Nawnghkio, Wundwin, Natogyi, Tabayin Khin-U, Shwebo, Budalin, Myaing and Sagaing townships.

The maps below show the extent of cropland and earthquake intensity classes together. As seen in these maps, the earthquake occurred in the cropland intensive region.

The maps below show the different crop types (rice [yellow], maize [orange], pulses [brown], oilseed [light green], sesame [green] and other crops [purple]) with the earthquake intensity classes together. As seen in these maps, oilseed is the main crop type in the earthquake location. Additionally, Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions, along with Shan state – among the most severely affected areas – account for 32 percent of Myanmar’s cereals production and 79 percent of its maize. 

Based on the analyses, Shwebo, Kyaukse, Pakokku, Sagaing and Myingyan were the most affected townships in terms of oilseed exposure. According to the Myanmar Agricultural Statistics, the total area (ha) of oilseed cultivated in these townships was 99 298 ha in 2023. This accounts for 65 percent of the total area covered by this crop in Mandalay, Magway and Sagaing regions.

Pakokku, Mahaaungmyay, Pale, Pyinoolwin, Singu, Sagaing, Patheingyi, Myittha, Kyaukse, Yesagyo and Madaya are the most affected townships in terms of rice exposure. According to the Myanmar Agricultural Statistics, the total area (ha) of rice cultivated in these townships was 151 000 ha in 2023. This accounts for 65 percent of the total area covered by this crop in Mandalay, Magway and Sagaing regions.

The centre line can be moved to visualize the crop types and the earthquake intensity classes in the maps below.

According to the analyses, the earthquake occurred in a high livestock density area. Based on the findings, over 3.6 million cattle were potentially exposed to the earthquake.

The map below shows the livestock density and earthquake intensity classes together. Based on this, Madaya, Sintgaing, Ngazun, Myittha, Kyaukse, Sagaing, Ayadaw, Patheingyi, Singu, Shwebo, Yesagyo and Wundwin were the most exposed townships to the earthquake. These townships collectively have 864 000 cattle representing 20 percent of the total cattle population in three regions (Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay).

Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions, along with Shan state, were among the most severely affected areas, and account for 64 percent of the country’s cattle and buffalo population, 70 percent of small ruminants and 41 percent of swine. 

• Conduct an in-depth household livelihoods assessment to determine the extent of damage to agricultural livelihoods at household level in all earthquake affected areas. 

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