REGIONAL SUMMARY:
In the thirteenth week of 2025, the ASEAN region experienced a total of 24 disaster, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, storms, and wind-related disasters. These events affected several countries in the region, namely Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. According to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB), incidents were reported across Central Java, East Java, East Kalimantan, North Maluku, West Nusa Tenggara, Papua, Central Sulawesi, and Yogyakarta. In Myanmar, the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) reported that a magnitude 7.7 Mandalay Earthquake had a catastrophic impact on the country. The effects of this earthquake were also experienced in Thailand, as noted by the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM). Additionally, DDPM reported storms and wind-related events in Phetchabun and Chanthaburi provinces. In Viet Nam, the Viet Nam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA) also reported storm in Son La province.
HIGHLIGHT:
At 13:20 hrs (UTC+7) on 28 March 2025, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 and a depth of 10 km struck approximately 19 km northwest of Mandalay, Myanmar. This was followed by a significant aftershock at 13:32 hrs (UTC+7), with a magnitude of 6.4 at the same depth, further intensifying the situation. In Myanmar, preliminary reports indicate severe impacts, including the tragic loss of life and considerable damage to infrastructure and property. A state of emergency has been declared in six of the most severely affected areas: Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway, Shan State, Naypyidaw, and Bago (DDM). In Thailand, DDPM has also reported significant impacts, with the earthquake posing significant risks to life, safety, and infrastructure. On the evening of 29 March, the AHA Centre’s In-Country Liaison Team (ICLT), arrived in Nay Pyi Taw to work closely with DDM Myanmar in coordinating regional disaster response efforts. The AHA Centre has engaged Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia to support urban search and rescue (USAR) operations in Myanmar. Additionally, Lao PDR, Thailand, Viet Nam, and the Philippines have expressed readiness to deploy USAR teams, emergency medical teams (EMT), and relief resources. Further details are available in the AHA Centre’s Situation Updates #1 (29 March) and #2 (31 March) on the M7.7 Mandalay Earthquake.
HYDRO-METEO-CLIMATOLOGICAL:
For the past week, data from the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC) indicated medium to high 7-day average rainfall across the Maritime Continent, which includes Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. As of this reporting, there is no significant active tropical cyclone being monitored in the ASEAN region (JTWC).
GEOPHYSICAL:
Eight (8) significant earthquakes (M>5.0) were recorded by Indonesia’s Badan Meteorologi, Klimatologi, dan Geofisika (BMKG), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), and Thai Meterological Department (TMD). Mount Ibu (alert level III), Dukono (alert level II), Lewotobi Laki-laki (alert level III), Ili Lewotolok (alert level II), Raung (alert levelII), Semeru (alert level II), and Marapi (alert level II) in Indonesia, and Kanlaon (alert level 3), Taal (alert level 1), and Mayon (alert level 1) volcanoes in the Philippines reported recent volcanic activity according to Pusat Vulkanologi dan Mitigasi Bencana Geologi (PVMBG) and PHIVOLCS.
OUTLOOK:
According to the ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC), for the coming week, wetter conditions are predicted over the northeastern Maritime Continent; and warmer conditions are predicted over parts of the eastern equatorial region. For the regional assessment of extreme weather events, there is a low chance of very heavy rainfall to occurs in ASEAN Region. Furthermore, there is a moderate increase in chance of extreme heat conditions to occurs over southern Myanmar and small increase in chance to occurs over western and southern Borneo, Sulawesi, Maluku Islands, and Papua. La Niña conditions are now present. La Niña conditions tend to bring wetter than average conditions to much of the ASEAN region during the intermonsoon period.
Sources:
ASEAN Disaster Monitoring & Response System (DMRS); ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC); Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC);
Indonesia: BNPB, BMKG, PVMBG;
Myanmar: DDM, DMH;
Philippines: PHIVOLCS;
Thailand: DDPM, TMD;
Viet Nam: VDDMA;
Various news agencies.
