Colombo 

The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka has established an Emergency Help Desk at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to assist Indian nationals affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The mission announced the move on X and urged Indians in distress anywhere in Sri Lanka to contact the emergency number +94 773727832, which is also available on WhatsApp.

Officials said the High Commission is already supporting stranded Indian passengers at the airport by providing food, drinking water and other essentials.

Sri Lanka continues to reel under the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on Wednesday, triggering record rainfall, severe flooding and landslides across multiple districts. Thousands have been displaced, with worst-hit areas concentrated along the Kelani river basin. The Sri Lankan armed forces have deployed helicopters and boats for search-and-rescue operations.

As conditions deteriorated, India rushed specialised disaster-response support to Colombo. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said two teams — 80 personnel — were flown in early Friday in an IL-76 aircraft, landing at 0810 hrs to begin joint operations with Sri Lankan authorities.

The deployment follows India’s earlier airlift of two NDRF teams on Wednesday. In total, 80 rescuers and four canines have been sent to assist in evacuation and relief work. Led by P.K. Tiwary, Commandant of the 8th Battalion, the teams are equipped with inflatable boats, hydraulic cutters, breaching tools, communication gear and medical supplies.

Along with personnel, India has delivered around 21 tonnes of humanitarian aid, including tents, blankets, mattresses and dignity kits. The Indian Air Force said Operation Sagar Bandhu was activated once the scale of devastation became clear, with a C-130 and IL-76 dispatched from Hindan Air Base through the night of November 28–29 carrying relief material and specialised equipment.

According to the IAF, the assistance is intended to support immediate humanitarian needs in the hardest-hit areas and reinforce efforts to restore normalcy across affected districts.

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New Delhi has reiterated that India “stands firmly with Sri Lanka in this hour of need” as rescue and recovery efforts continue across the island.