IAF Scales Up Aid to Sri Lanka After Cyclone Ditwah
IAF Scales Up Aid to Sri Lanka After Cyclone Ditwah
India launches Operation Sagar Bandhu, deploying C-130 and IL-76 to Colombo with relief and NDRF teams to assist cyclone-hit Sri Lanka.
India has launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to bolster relief efforts in Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah. The Indian Air Force deployed a C-130 and an IL-76 from Hindan Air Base, carrying paramilitary personnel and relief material to Colombo. This swift airlift underscores India’s commitment to extending a helping hand in the wake of the disaster.
The mission delivered 21 tonnes of relief material, more than 80 National Disaster Response Force personnel, and 8 tonnes of equipment to Colombo, as part of a coordinated effort to reach affected communities quickly. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the ongoing response, noting that a second wave of aid included 9 tonnes of relief material and two Urban Search and Rescue teams comprising 80 NDRF personnel, bringing the total relief by air and sea to around 27 tonnes.
Earlier, the first tranche of aid had already been handed over after being transported by the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the frontline ship INS Udaigiri, marking a multi-modal approach to humanitarian assistance. Cyclone Ditwah has caused significant devastation across Sri Lanka, with authorities reporting more than 50 fatalities and thousands displaced.
India’s broader relief effort reflects the Neighbourhood First policy, with officials signaling that more assistance could be scaled up if needed. The collaboration between air, sea, and land assets demonstrates a rapid-response model aimed at delivering essentials such as rations, tents, blankets, and critical equipment to affected communities in Colombo and nearby areas.
As relief operations continue, the focus remains on reaching every affected family and accelerating reconstruction and recovery efforts, reinforcing enduring ties between India and Sri Lanka during this challenging time.
Cover image source: Cyclone Ditwah: India sends relief to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, PM Modi offers condolences 🔗
