India expands rescue and relief efforts in Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu
India has intensified rescue and relief efforts in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducting large-scale humanitarian operations under Operation Sagar Bandhu.
In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said NDRF personnel carried out rescue operations in Kochikade, Puttalam and Badulla.
In another post, he said IAF Mi-17 helicopters evacuated 34 citizens, including children, from Kotmale to Colombo, and distributed medical assistance and food supplies.
On Monday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that INS Sukanya had entered Trincomalee carrying relief materials. He added that another IAF aircraft had landed in Colombo on Sunday with disaster response supplies.
According to the IAF, a C-17 aircraft transported NDRF teams and equipment from Pune as part of the ongoing operation. India has sent 21 tonnes of relief material, over 80 NDRF personnel and 8 tonnes of equipment to support people affected by heavy flooding across Sri Lanka.
The MEA said the rapid mobilisation reflects India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka during the crisis, noting that relief efforts are continuing despite difficult conditions.
According to a report by Daily Mirror on Monday, citing Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 334 people have been confirmed dead and 370 remain missing following the cyclone.
