Government of India has initiated Operation Sagar Bandhu to assist the neighbouring country of Sri Lanka which is hit by a catastrophic cyclone Ditwah that has led to massive damage to life and properties in the island country. An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft reached Sri Lanka with 80 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), including four females and four sniffer dogs, along with disaster relief supplies and rescue equipment to aid the ongoing operations.
The Sri Lanka Air Force announced the arrival on X, stating, “An IL-76 IAF aircraft arrived in Sri Lanka carrying 80 NDRF(National Disaster Response Force) personnel, including four females, four sniffer dogs, disaster relief supplies and rescue equipment to support ongoing relief operations”. The Indian Air Force said that Operation Sagar Bandhu was activated once the scale of devastation became clear. The IAF confirmed that a C-130 and an IL-76 were scrambled from Hindan Air Base during the night of 28/29 November 2025, transporting more than 21 tonnes of relief material, over 80 NDRF personnel and 8 tonnes of specialised equipment to Colombo.
Operation Sagar Bandhu | Humanitarian Assistance
In the wake of the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah across Sri Lanka, India swiftly launched Operation Sagar Bandhu to bolster relief efforts.
The Indian Air Force promptly deployed one C-130 and one IL-76 from Hindan Air… pic.twitter.com/cIT7gKiPNs
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 29, 2025
Led by P K Tiwary, Commandant 8th Battalion, the teams carried specialised HADR equipment, including inflatable boats, hydraulic cutting and breaching tools, communication systems, medical first-aid kits and other essential supplies to assist the rescue efforts in cyclone-affected areas. Alongside its personnel deployment, India has also transported around 21 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, including tents, blankets, mattresses, dignity kits and other essential items required for immediate relief. The consignments were also delivered by the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the frontline warship INS Udaigiri.
#OperationSagarBandhu continues in full swing.
Two Chetak helicopters from @IN_R11Vikrant have joined Search & Rescue operations, with 🇱🇰 @airforcelk personnel onboard.
Amid the severe flooding and widespread damage, 🇮🇳 is working closely with 🇱🇰 to support rescue and relief… pic.twitter.com/bOy0zLwwvr
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) November 29, 2025
This international assistance comes as NDRF continues to maintain strong domestic readiness. Fourteen teams are currently stationed across vulnerable coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai and Mayiladuthurai. Additional teams have been designated for Puducherry, while ten more from the 5th Battalion(Pune) and 6th Battalion (Vadodara) are heading to Chennai to bolster preparedness.
NDRF remains engaged in continuous monitoring in coordination with IMD, NDMA, state administrations, the Ministry of External Affairs and other agencies to ensure efficient response efforts both domestically and internationally. The relief assistance arrives as Sri Lankan authorities have warned of an “unprecedented disaster situation” in the Western Province due to rising water levels in the Kelani and Attanagalu rivers. Sri Lanka is currently enduring one of its most severe crises in recent years, with cyclonic storm Ditwah triggering widespread flooding and landslides, resulting in extensive destruction and heavy damage to infrastructure across several regions.
Indian High Commission sets up emergency helpdesk
The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka has set up an Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport(BIA) in Colombo to support Indian nationals impacted by Cyclone Ditwah. The mission announced the arrangement in an update posted on X. According to the High Commission, Indian citizens facing distress at any airport or location in Sri Lanka can contact the emergency number +94 773727832, which is also accessible via WhatsApp. The mission said it is already assisting stranded Indian passengers at BIA, providing essentials such as food and drinking water.
.@IndiainSL is setting up an Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo.
⚠️ Any distressed Indian citizen at 🇱🇰 airports or any part of 🇱🇰 in need of assistance may reach out to the emergency No 👉
🚨 +94 773727832. (For WhatsApp also) 🚨High… pic.twitter.com/Ma1zMNoif7
— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) November 29, 2025
The help desk comes at a time when Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on November 26(Wednesday) and unleashed record rainfall across multiple regions. The extreme weather has caused severe flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying areas along the Kelani river basin, forcing thousands to evacuate. The Sri Lankan armed forces have deployed helicopters and boats to carry out rescue operations in the affected districts.
Sri Lanka declares public emergency as death toll raises to 123
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on November 29, issued an extraordinary gazette notification declaring a state of public emergency in Sri Lanka. The gazette notification has been issued in the wake of the widespread destruction left by Cyclone Ditwah. Sri Lanka has appealed for international assistance as the death toll from heavy rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah rose to 123, with another 130 reported missing.
The extreme weather system has destroyed nearly 15,000 homes across the country, sending almost 44,000 people to state-run temporary shelters, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said. Although Cyclone Ditwah was heading towards neighbouring India to the north, more landslides have hit the central district of Kandy, 115km (70 miles) east of the capital Colombo, with the main access road under water at several locations. DMC Director-General Sampath Kotuwegoda said relief operations had been strengthened with the deployment of thousands of members of the army, navy and the airforce.
Flooding prompted authorities to issue evacuation orders for those living along the banks of the Kelani River, which flows into the Indian Ocean from Colombo. The Kelani burst its banks on November 29(Friday) evening, forcing hundreds of people into temporary shelters. India was the first to respond, sending two planeloads of relief supplies. At the same time, an Indian warship already in Colombo on a previously planned goodwill visit also donated its rations to help victims.
(With Inputs from ANI)
