On the first day of Myanmar New Year, an earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck near Mandalay city in the Mandalay Region, according to an announcement from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. The earthquake occurred at 1:02 PM on April 17, with its epicenter located 2 miles south-southwest of Patheingyi city at a depth of 11 kilometers. The tremor was strongly felt in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Pyin Oo Lwin cities, as confirmed by local residents.
According to a Mandalay resident, the earthquake was very intense and struck suddenly with a loud rumble. Although the duration of the quake was brief, the resident noted that if it had lasted longer, there could have been a risk of building collapse. A resident from Zeyar Ward in Sagaing city also reported that they felt the earthquake strongly in their area, with houses swaying noticeably during the tremor.
Notably, following the major earthquake of magnitude 7.7 that occurred on March 28, there have been continuous aftershocks in the region. According to records from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, the total number of earthquake events has reached 140 as of April 17. The March 28 earthquake caused several buildings in Mandalay to tilt and sustain damage, with repair work still ongoing today. Local residents remain vigilant and cautious about potential future seismic activities in the region.
