A massive 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar, a country prone to frequent seismic activity, causing widespread devastation. A devastating 6.4 aftershock soon followed. The earthquake caused significant devastation, leaving communities struggling to cope with the widespread destruction and loss. After the earthquake shook the country on Friday, people flooded the internet with videos, images, and social media posts showing the destruction in Thailand.
People in areas surrounding the earthquake’s epicenter were able to take precautions. However, across the border in Myanmar, The full extent of the disaster remained unclear, with limited and uncertain information available to them, which made the extent of casualties severe. Internet restrictions completely cut off the country from updates on the Thailand earthquake.
Why The Internet Was Cut Off?
In recent years, due to the internal issues, the military has repeatedly shut off the internet and cut access to social media. This has digitally isolated the country from the rest of the world. The government imposed these restrictions to suppress opposition and maintain control over the country’s military leadership. Additionally, press freedom has been heavily restricted. During crises like the earthquake, when power outages and damaged infrastructure make it difficult to access internet and thereby social media, these restrictions make things more worse. The aftermath of this is that it blocks the flow of vital information. Without any option to act according to the situation, people will remain in the dark. This will result in the delay of life-saving aid and emergency response efforts.
Government Struggled To Stay Online
According to The New York Times report, Shortly after the quake, even the government struggled to stay online, as several official websites controlled by the ‘Junta’ were inaccessible. A junta is a group of military or political leaders who take control of a country, often through a coup, and govern without democratic legitimacy. In Myanmar, this term refers to the military rulers who seized power and have since maintained strict control over the country.
Myanmar Coup
Myanmar’s military took power of the country in a coup in 2021. After attaining the power, it seized control of the telecommunications networks, allowing it to shut down internet access in certain areas. The report said about the communications blackouts, quoting Access Now, a digital rights organization.
The internet blocks are widely in Myanmar. Despite this, some areas are having better connectivity than others. Internet is unreliable in areas where the rebel groups are fighting with the military. The earth quake which struck Myanmar has caused at least 144 casualties even in distant cities like Thailand’s Bangkok, The epicenter was near Mandalay, which is Myanmar’s second-largest city after Yangon.
