Earlier, India said two aircraft carrying over 20 tonnes of relief supplies and NDRF teams landed in Colombo early this morning in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which claimed several lives and left thousands affected in the island nation.
(ANI Video Grab)
In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “#OperationSagarBandhu saves lives! Several people were rescued through @indiannavy helicopter sorties in the cyclone-affected areas in Sri Lanka today. @IN_R11Vikrant.”
Advertisement
“India’s rescue & relief efforts remain in full swing,” Jaiswal said in another post on X.
Advertisement
Earlier, India said two aircraft carrying over 20 tonnes of relief supplies and NDRF teams landed in Colombo early this morning in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which claimed several lives and left thousands affected in the island nation.
The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka in a post on X said, “#OperationSagarBandhu standing strong with the people of Sri Lanka!
Two aircraft carrying 20+ tonnes of relief supplies and NDRF teams landed in Colombo early this morning, ready to support ongoing search and rescue efforts across Sri Lanka.”
Earlier, an Indian Air Force plane carrying around 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items, landed in Colombo.
In a post on X, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, “Operation Sagar Bandhu unfolds. Indian Air Force C-130 J plane carrying approx 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items, lands in Colombo.”
He said another Indian Air Force (IAF) IL-76 has reached Colombo as part of India’s ongoing humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, at a time when the island nation is dealing with the escalating fallout of Cyclone Ditwah.
In the latest post on X, he further informed that the aircraft arrived with “9 tons of relief material” and “2 Urban Search & Rescue Teams comprising 80 National Disaster Response Force Personnel.” The External Affairs Minister also wrote that “A total of around 27 tons of relief material was delivered by air and sea. More is on the way!”
The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka has also set up an Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Colombo to support Indian nationals impacted by Cyclone Ditwah.
The mission announced the arrangement in an update posted on X.
According to the High Commission, Indian citizens facing distress at any airport or location in Sri Lanka can contact the emergency number +94 773727832, which is also accessible via WhatsApp. The mission said it is already assisting stranded Indian passengers at BIA, providing essentials such as food and drinking water.
The help desk comes at a time when Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on Wednesday and unleashed record rainfall across multiple regions. The extreme weather has caused severe flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying areas along the Kelani river basin, forcing thousands to evacuate.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath expressed gratitude to the External Affairs Minister for the humanitarian assistance sent to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu following Cyclone Ditwah.
“Thank you, my friend, S. Jaishankar, for the assistance at this hard time,” Herath posted on X.
Former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mohamed Uvais Mohamed Ali Sabry also thanked India for the immediate cyclone relief.
“Thank you, India, for the urgent cyclone relief sent under Operation Sagar Bandhu. Sri Lanka remembers with gratitude the crucial support you extended during the 2022 economic crisis. Your friendship continues to make a meaningful difference,” Sabry posted on X.
India has been sending specialised rescue teams and emergency supplies after Cyclone Ditwah triggered extensive flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka’s eastern region, prompting Colombo to request urgent support. The latest deployment continues the rapid assistance sent over the past two days to strengthen relief efforts on the ground.
On Friday, under ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, India delivered urgent Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) supplies to Sri Lanka.
The Indian High Commission said India has provided 4.5 tonnes of dry rations, 2 tonnes of fresh rations, and other essential relief items brought by Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant and INS Udaygiri to assist impacted families.
“In this challenging moment, India stands firmly with the people of Sri Lanka, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the Neighbourhood First policy,” the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka posted on X.
Advertisement
