Colombo

India has intensified relief and rescue operations in Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu after Cyclone Ditwah triggered massive devastation across several regions. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indian Air Force (IAF) are jointly leading the mission, carrying out evacuations, providing medical assistance and supplying humanitarian aid.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared a series of updates on X announcing that NDRF personnel are actively conducting rescue work in Kochikade, Puttalam and Badulla. IAF Mi-17 helicopters have also been deployed to airlift stranded civilians and deliver relief material.

“Relief efforts continue in Sri Lanka through Mi-17 helicopters. Evacuated 34 citizens, including children, from Kotmale to Colombo. They also distributed medical aid and food supplies,” Jaiswal said in an update.

#OperationSagarBandhu update.

NDRF teams in Action.

The @NDRFHQ personnel carried out rescue operations in Kochikade, Puttalam and Badulla areas of Sri Lanka.

🇮🇳 🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/gFNPTJeyXL

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 1, 2025

Earlier, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced that naval vessel INS Sukanya reached Trincomalee carrying relief supplies, further strengthening India’s humanitarian outreach.

Under the mission, an IAF C-17 aircraft transported more than 80 NDRF personnel, 21 tonnes of relief material, and 8 tonnes of equipment from Pune to Colombo. More aircraft carrying disaster response supplies have since landed.

Officials said the scale and speed of the operation reflect India's commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in a time of crisis, as teams continue to deliver coordinated humanitarian assistance despite challenging conditions.

READ MORE: Unity Reel Challenge: Showcase India’s unity in 90 seconds and win a bumper prize

According to Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre, at least 334 people have died and 370 remain missing following the cyclone.