Cyclone Ditwah: India Steps Up Relief Operations in Sri Lanka Under ‘Op Sagar Bandhu’

Colombo — India has intensified its humanitarian assistance to disaster-hit Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, as the island nation continues to reel under severe weather conditions triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.

Indian rescue teams are working closely with the Sri Lanka Air Force, Navy, Army, Police, and local first responders to support communities devastated by widespread flooding and landslides.

To bolster relief efforts, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed Mi-17 V5 helicopters in Colombo for rapid Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. IAF transport aircraft have also been placed on standby for large-scale evacuation of Indian nationals, with multiple missions planned from Trivandrum and Hindan.
In addition to evacuation efforts, essential relief items — including Bhishm cubes and medical supplies — are being airlifted to affected regions.

“The IAF remains steadfast in safeguarding lives and extending timely assistance to our neighbours in need,” officials said.

In a significant rescue effort, two Indian Navy helicopters saved eight people stranded by rising floodwaters in Pannala. India currently has four helicopters engaged in rescue missions across Sri Lanka, including two operating from the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. These aircraft have been conducting multiple sorties in areas where homes have been cut off by fast-rising waters.

All rescued individuals have been handed over safely to local authorities.

Meanwhile, the human toll in Sri Lanka continues to climb. According to the Daily Mirror, citing the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the death count from the extreme weather has reached 153, with at least 191 people still missing.
Updated figures indicate that 774,724 people from 217,263 families across 25 districts have been affected. Floods, landslides, and continuous heavy rainfall have left many regions severely impacted.

The DMC also confirmed that 100,898 individuals from 27,494 families are currently housed in 798 evacuation centres across the country. Relief and relocation efforts are ongoing as authorities struggle with communication disruptions in several hard-hit areas.

With inputs from IANS