India Strengthens Humanitarian Support in Sri Lanka Following Cyclone Ditwah

Colombo, Dec 2025 : India has intensified its humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu, focusing on search, rescue, medical aid, and logistics in the cyclone-affected regions, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said on Thursday.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are actively engaged in relief operations across multiple areas, including the Gampaha region, addressing urgent drinking water needs. Teams are cleaning wells and purifying water to ensure families regain access to safe drinking water, helping affected communities restore normalcy.

In Sedawatta and Nadeegama, NDRF personnel conducted high-risk rescue operations on Tuesday under extremely hazardous conditions, with water levels reaching 8–10 feet and strong currents posing significant threats. A total of 52 stranded individuals were rescued, demonstrating the teams’ dedication to evacuating the most vulnerable and ensuring every life is saved.

In Passara, Badulla, NDRF personnel are clearing dense, compacted debris in flood-affected areas while continuing search and rescue efforts. Operating in close coordination with the Sri Lankan armed forces, the teams have been rescuing stranded civilians and providing urgent relief supplies to communities in need.

As part of the ongoing relief operations, the Indian Air Force has been crucial in delivering essential aid and facilitating medical evacuations. Aircraft IFC 1875 transported 1.9 tonnes of supplies from Colombo and 2.7 tonnes from Badulla to Kotmale, alongside airlifting critical patients to Colombo for urgent treatment. Subsequent sorties, including IFC 1885, carried an additional 2 tonnes of relief materials from Katunayake to Kotmale. Additional flights are planned to maintain uninterrupted delivery of essential assistance. The helicopters also evacuated three critically ill individuals to safe locations for immediate medical attention.

In response to requests from the Sri Lankan Government, India also airlifted a movable modular Bailey Bridge system to restore vital connectivity in disaster-hit areas. Transported via a C-17 Globemaster aircraft, the bridge system can be installed within hours, enabling access for emergency services and relief operations in landslide and flood-affected zones. The C-17 also delivered 500 water purification units to meet urgent local needs.

Alongside these supplies, India sent 22 personnel, including expert engineers for Bailey Bridge installation, and a medical team to assist in field hospital operations. These teams had arrived in Sri Lanka earlier on Tuesday to provide on-ground technical and medical support.

The Indian High Commission emphasized that these efforts reflect India’s unwavering commitment to humanitarian assistance and solidarity with Sri Lanka in the face of natural disasters. Operation Sagar Bandhu continues to prioritize the rescue of affected populations, restoration of essential services, and provision of timely relief, ensuring that communities impacted by Cyclone Ditwah receive immediate support and aid for recovery.