New Delhi – India relief Sri Lanka efforts intensified on Saturday as the country dispatched search and rescue teams along with relief materials including food items, tents, and blankets to help people affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The devastating storm killed 153 people across Sri Lanka, with another 200 reported missing, prompting immediate humanitarian response from India as a first responder in the Indian Ocean region.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar announced the India relief Sri Lanka mission on social media, detailing the comprehensive aid package being delivered through multiple channels. An Il-76 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force carried two urban search and rescue teams comprising 80 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force and nine tonnes of relief materials to Colombo as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu.
NDRF Teams Deploy Specialized Equipment
The search and rescue teams central to the India relief Sri Lanka operation comprise 80 personnel and four specially trained dogs. These teams possess specialized humanitarian assistance and disaster relief equipment and are led by PK Tiwary, commandant of the 8th Battalion of NDRF. Their expertise in urban search and rescue operations proves crucial for navigating the cyclone-devastated areas.
NDRF’s DIG(Operations) Mohsen Shahedi explained that the India relief Sri Lanka teams are equipped with inflatable boats, hydraulic cutting and breaching tools, communication gear, medical first-aid kits, and other specialized humanitarian assistance and disaster relief equipment. This comprehensive toolkit enables them to handle various emergency scenarios in the flood-affected regions.
Multi-Platform Aid Delivery System
The India relief Sri Lanka mission utilized multiple platforms to ensure swift delivery of assistance. Another C-130J transport aircraft of the IAF carried 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Colombo, demonstrating the scale of the response. Meanwhile, Indian Navy warships INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri, which were already in Sri Lanka for an international fleet review, delivered 6.5 tonnes of rations and other essential relief items on Friday.
The total 27 tonnes of relief materials delivered through the India relief Sri Lanka operation include food items, tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat meals. This diverse array of supplies addresses both immediate survival needs and longer-term shelter requirements for affected populations.
Helicopter Operations Enhance Rescue Capabilities
The India relief Sri Lanka mission mobilized four helicopters to assist with search and rescue operations. Two Chetak helicopters from aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, with Sri Lankan air force personnel on board, successfully rescued several people in cyclone-hit areas. This joint operation exemplifies the collaborative approach between Indian and Sri Lankan forces.
Two Mi-17 helicopters of the IAF reached Sri Lanka on Saturday evening to bolster the India relief Sri Lanka search and rescue efforts. These helicopters also carried essential humanitarian supplies and personnel to support relief operations. The aircraft will work closely with Sri Lankan authorities for ongoing search and rescue missions, according to the Indian high commission in Colombo.
Ground Operations and Rescue Coordination
People familiar with the India relief Sri Lanka operation reported that NDRF teams have started relief and rescue work in Kochchikade, located in Sri Lanka’s western province, which is one of the most severely inundated areas. The teams have established contact with people trapped in different locations and have begun evacuation procedures.
The India relief Sri Lanka coordination involves continuous monitoring by NDRF headquarters in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department, National Disaster Management Authority, state governments, the Ministry of External Affairs, and other agencies. This ensures a seamless response both domestically and internationally.
Domestic Preparedness Maintained Simultaneously
While conducting the India relief Sri Lanka mission, the country maintained robust domestic preparedness. Fourteen NDRF teams were positioned in vulnerable coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, including Villupuram, Chengalpattu, Tiruvallur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, and Mayiladuthurai. Additional teams were earmarked for Puducherry, with ten more teams being sent from Pune and Vadodara to Chennai.
Evacuation Support for Stranded Citizens
The India relief Sri Lanka operation extended to helping stranded Indian citizens. The Indian high commission established an emergency help desk at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport to assist citizens amid reports of special evacuation flights. Indian citizens at Sri Lankan airports or anywhere in the country needing assistance can contact the emergency number +94 773727832.
Acting high commissioner Satyanjal Pandey met stranded Indians at Bandaranaike airport and assured them of all possible assistance. The mission is making all efforts to provide assistance to stranded Indian passengers and facilitate their travel back to India.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor confirmed speaking with Indian high commissioner Santosh Jha about constituents from Thiruvananthapuram unable to leave Colombo due to lack of flights. He reported reassurance that the Indian Air Force would organize evacuation flights.
Cyclone Impact and Regional Response
Torrential rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah affected almost 44,000 people in Sri Lanka. Many were moved to state-run welfare centers after their homes were destroyed in week-long heavy rains. The India relief Sri Lanka response reflected the nation’s established position as the first responder to natural disasters in the Indian Ocean region, demonstrating regional solidarity during times of crisis.
