New Delhi

India ramped up its humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka on Saturday under Operation Sagar Bandhu, with two IAF transport aircraft delivering nearly 21 tonnes of relief material to Colombo as the island reels from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

A C-130J carrying 12 tonnes of tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits and ready-to-eat food landed in the morning. An IL-76 followed with nine tonnes of relief supplies, 80 NDRF personnel, four canines and eight tonnes of HADR equipment.

INS Sukanya has departed Visakhapatnam with additional humanitarian aid, officials said. Two Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant are also assisting Sri Lanka’s Air Force in search and rescue missions.

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

Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre said the cyclone has claimed 132 lives, with 176 missing and over 43,900 people affected across 12,313 families.

India earlier delivered 4.5 tonnes of dry rations, two tonnes of fresh rations and other essentials via INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri. The Indian High Commission in Colombo is also providing food, water and assistance to stranded Indian passengers amid heavy air traffic disruptions.

The IAF shared images of the operation on X, saying India swiftly launched the mission in the “spirit of Neighbourhood First”.

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said around 27 tonnes of aid has been delivered so far by air and sea, with “more on the way”.