Badulla (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka has extended heartfelt gratitude to India for its swift and life-saving support in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. On Monday, Deputy Minister for Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe thanked India and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for their ongoing rescue and relief efforts in some of the worst-hit regions.

The High Commission of India in Sri Lanka shared that NDRF teams along with landslide specialists are closely coordinating with local authorities in Badulla, a district devastated by landslides and flooding. Their mission remains urgent: recovering those affected and providing critical aid wherever possible.

Under #OperationSagarBandhu @NDRFHQ teams carried out multiple evacuations in Puttalam, Sri Lanka, rescuing stranded people including infants, children and females.

🇮🇳 🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/ubQtfYlmQs

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 1, 2025

As part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, India has stepped up its relief response further. Another shipment carrying 12 tonnes of essential supplies reached Trincomalee onboard INS Sukanya, strengthening ongoing rescue missions. The relief materials have already been handed over for immediate distribution to cyclone-affected families.

Reaffirming India's role as a first responder in the region, the High Commission stated that these efforts reflect India's unwavering commitment to support Sri Lanka during one of the country’s worst natural calamities in recent memory.

Meanwhile, Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopters are constantly ferrying stranded residents from isolated areas while delivering food, water, and emergency supplies to cut-off communities.

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Cyclone Ditwah, which has caused widespread destruction, is now gradually weakening into a deep depression as it moves toward Tamil Nadu. The tragedy, however, continues to unfold in Sri Lanka—the death toll has risen to 355, with 366 people still missing, according to reports.