India steps up aid to Sri Lanka

In this image posted on Nov. 30, 2025, Indian Air Force personnel evacuate stranded passengers from cyclone-hit Sri Lanka.Photo | PTI

India steps up aid as Cyclone Ditwah death toll in Sri Lanka crosses 200

India has deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and Indian Air Force (IAF) assets under Operation Sagar Bandhu to assist Sri Lankan authorities. 

TNIE online desk, PTI 

Updated on: 30 Nov 2025

Sri Lanka pressed on with large-scale rescue and relief operations on Sunday, supported by India, as the death toll from Cyclone Ditwah climbed past 200 amid widespread flooding and landslides.

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 212 people have been confirmed dead and 218 remain missing since Thursday. Nearly 10 lakh people from over 2.7 lakh families have been affected by the disaster.

India has deployed National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and Indian Air Force (IAF) assets under Operation Sagar Bandhu to assist Sri Lankan authorities.

“NDRF personnel, in close coordination with local authorities, continue to undertake relief operations in Sri Lanka,” External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on social media.

Eighty NDRF personnel in two urban search-and-rescue teams are on the ground, while IAF helicopters and transport aircraft are conducting high-risk evacuation missions.

In one such mission, a Garud commando was winched down to lead stranded passengers through difficult terrain to a helipad at Kotmale, from where 24 people, including Indians, Sri Lankans, and other foreign nationals were flown to Colombo. Three critically injured individuals were also airlifted for urgent treatment.

The IAF additionally transported 40 Sri Lankan Army personnel to the landslide-hit Kotmale region and has positioned Mi-17 V5 helicopters in Colombo for rapid HADR operations.

Transport aircraft are on standby for large-scale evacuation of Indian nationals, and relief items such as Bhishm cubes and medical supplies are being airlifted.

On Saturday, C-130J and IL-76 aircraft delivered nearly 21 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Colombo. INS Sukanya is en route from Visakhapatnam with more supplies, while two Chetak helicopters aboard INS Vikrant continue to support rescue missions, including the dramatic rescue of a family of four stranded on a rooftop.

400 Indian passengers stranded due to Ditwah evacuated from Sri Lanka

Around 150 of them were sent back to Delhi aboard flight C130 while 250 of them were sent to Trivandrum on flight IL 76 from the Bandaranaike International Airport here, Sri Lankan officials said.

COLOMBO: At least 400 Indian nationals stranded at the Colombo airport following the extreme weather conditions in cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, were sent back home on Sunday.

Around 150 of them were sent back to Delhi aboard flight C130 while 250 of them were sent to Trivandrum on flight IL 76 from the Bandaranaike International Airport here, Sri Lankan officials said.

Both the aircraft had arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday carrying food and humanitarian aid for flash floods victims.

As Sri Lanka battled the aftermath of the powerful cyclone Ditwah, Acting High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Dr Satyanjal Pandey, met stranded compatriots at the Colombo airport on Saturday.

The Indian High Commission provided food and water to those who needed it, and also assured the stranded Indians that New Delhi will facilitate their swift travel back home.

Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency throughout the island nation after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread devastation as it left a trail of destruction and damage to infrastructure.

There was widespread flooding, landslides and severe service disruptions, including flight cancellations.

The island nation is a popular tourist destination for Indians.

As at 2 am on Sunday, the latest data from Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre (DMC) showed that at least 212 people have been killed and 218 missing since Thursday across the island nation in cyclone-induced rainfall, floods and landslides.

Earlier on Sunday, the Indian High Commission here said in a post on X,"@Indiainsl is facilitating the swift return home of the Indian passengers stranded in. Evacuation flights by @IAF_MCC and commercial airlines (are) being facilitated today. Every stranded Indian will reach home at the earliest."

"Any distressed Indian citizen at the airports or any part of Sri Lanka in need of assistance may reach out to the emergency No +94 773727832.

(For WhatsApp also)," it said.

Cyclone Ditwah: Indian Air Force, Navy scale up humanitarian assistance to battered Sri Lanka

The IAF reaffirmed the spirit of 'neighbourhood first', saying, “India stands firmly with Sri Lanka in this hour of need.”

An IL-76 Indian Air Force aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka carrying 80 National Disaster Response Force personnel, disaster relief supplies and rescue equipment. (Photo | Sri Lanka Air Force)

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force and Indian Navy have scaled up humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu in the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah across the island nation.

The Indian Air Force was quick to respond, deploying one C-130 and one IL-76 from Hindon Air Base near Delhi on the night of November 28/29 to airlift 21 tonnes of relief material along with over 80 NDRF personnel and eight tonnes of rescue equipment. Essential rations and critical supplies were delivered to support affected communities.

The IAF reaffirmed the spirit of 'neighbourhood first', saying, “India stands firmly with Sri Lanka in this hour of need.”

On Saturday, Sri Lanka appealed for urgent international assistance as Cyclone Ditwah continued to batter the island. According to reports, the cyclone led to the deaths of up to 153 people with 191 still missing.

More than 15,000 homes were destroyed and nearly 78,000 people forced to take refuge in state-run temporary shelters consequent to the continued torrential rain and landslides triggered by the cyclonic storm. Cyclone Ditwah is one of the country’s worst natural disasters in recent years.