India intensifies relief operations in Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu after Cyclone Ditwah, deploying NDRF teams, IAF aircraft, medical support, Bailey Bridge systems, and rescue missions across multiple districts to assist affected communities and restore essential connectivity.
India has significantly ramped up its humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, deploying extensive rescue, medical, and logistical support across multiple disaster-hit regions in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The Indian High Commission in Colombo confirmed on Thursday that Indian relief teams are working round-the-clock in challenging terrain and life-threatening conditions to support the island nation’s recovery efforts.
According to the High Commission, specialized teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been stationed in the worst-affected districts, where they are engaged in search operations, medical assistance, and the restoration of essential services. In Gampaha district, NDRF personnel are addressing the critical shortage of clean drinking water by undertaking well-cleaning and water purification initiatives. These efforts aim to help families regain access to safe water supplies as communities struggle to return to normal life.
NDRF teams have also continued high-risk operations in Sedawatta and Nadeegama, where floodwaters have created extremely hazardous environments. On Tuesday, Indian rescuers evacuated 52 stranded people from severely inundated areas. Officials noted that water levels reached 8 to 10 feet, accompanied by strong and unpredictable currents, significantly increasing the danger for both residents and rescue workers. Despite these challenges, Indian teams sustained their operations to save vulnerable individuals and support isolated communities cut off by rising waters.
In Passara in Badulla district, NDRF personnel are carrying out search and rescue operations amid dense debris and flood-damaged terrain. According to the Indian High Commission, the teams are working in close coordination with the Sri Lankan armed forces, focusing on uncovering trapped individuals, supporting local emergency responders, and distributing essential relief material. Their efforts underscore India’s commitment to ensuring that aid reaches even the hardest-to-access regions.
Air support from the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been another critical component of Operation Sagar Bandhu. Aircraft IFC 1875 transported 1.9 tonnes of emergency supplies from Colombo and 2.7 tonnes from Badulla to Kotmale, an area struggling with severe logistical disruptions. The aircraft also evacuated critically injured and sick individuals to Colombo for urgent medical care.
Following this, IAF aircraft IFC 1885 delivered an additional 2 tonnes of relief material from Katunayake to Kotmale. Authorities confirmed that more sorties are planned to maintain a continuous supply chain of essential support, including food, medical equipment, and protective gear for frontline responders. Helicopters deployed for the mission also airlifted three critically ill individuals to safer locations to ensure immediate treatment.
One of the most vital components of India’s ongoing aid mission is the deployment of a movable modular Bailey Bridge system, transported following an urgent request from the Sri Lankan Government. The massive bridge structure was flown in by an IAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft, known for its heavy-lift capacity. Officials highlighted that the modular bridge can be installed within a few hours to replace damaged or collapsed infrastructure, providing an essential temporary route for relief convoys, medical teams, and affected civilians.
The C-17 Globemaster also carried 500 water purification systems, which Sri Lankan authorities had urgently requested to support thousands of families facing severe drinking water shortages.
Additionally, the aircraft brought 22 Indian personnel, including expert engineers tasked with assembling and installing the Bailey Bridge, as well as a medical team assigned to the field hospital established earlier this week. Their presence is expected to further accelerate restoration efforts and expand medical support to vulnerable communities.
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Operation Sagar Bandhu reflects India’s long-standing policy of extending prompt and unconditional humanitarian assistance to its closest neighbours during times of crisis. As Sri Lanka battles widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, India’s continued support reinforces the spirit of regional cooperation and disaster partnership between the two nations.
