In a major humanitarian response, India has rushed emergency assistance to Sri Lanka as the island nation reels under its worst flooding and landslide crisis in recent years triggered by Cyclone Ditwah. An Indian Air Force C130 aircraft carrying essential relief material landed in Colombo early on Saturday morning, marking the first air-delivered consignment under India’s newly launched ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’.
India launches quick relief operation
The C130 aircraft touched down at Bandaranaike International Airport at around 1.30 am, carrying food supplies, drinking water, sanitary materials and emergency essentials for people displaced by the unprecedented flooding. Indian High Commission officials and Sri Lanka Air Force officers received the consignment.
This assistance comes less than 24 hours after India activated ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ on Friday to support Sri Lanka in its hour of acute crisis. Under this initiative, the first tranche of relief materials was transported by Indian Navy assets—including aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline warship INS Udaigiri—which sailed to Sri Lankan waters with emergency consignments.
Officials noted that New Delhi’s response was swift and coordinated, reflecting India’s long-standing commitment to supporting neighbours during natural disasters.
Sri Lanka faces “unprecedented disaster situation”
Sri Lankan authorities have raised alarming warnings as floodwaters continued to rise across several regions. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed 69 deaths till 6 am Saturday, while at least 34 individuals remained missing. Over 2 lakh people from 61,000 families have been severely affected.
The Western Province has been placed on high alert due to rising water levels in the Kelani and Attanagalu rivers, prompting urgent evacuation orders in multiple districts. Officials described the scenario as an “unprecedented disaster situation” that requires continuous monitoring.
Cyclone Ditwah’s powerful winds and relentless rainfall have caused massive destruction to infrastructure, crops and residential areas across the island. The storm triggered widespread spills in major reservoirs and rivers, worsening the flooding situation and threatening downstream communities.
Central districts record heavy loss of life
The central region has suffered some of the worst devastation. In the Central Province’s Kandy district alone, local relief officials said the death toll had crossed 50 by late Friday night—far higher than early official estimates and yet to be formally verified. Rescue teams reported extensive damage from landslides, which have buried homes, blocked roads and isolated several rural communities.
Badulla district in the central hills is also among the worst affected, with over 35 confirmed deaths and dozens still missing. Authorities fear the actual number of casualties may climb once access improves and rescue efforts expand.
Power outages and continuing rains hamper recovery
The Ceylon Electricity Board reported that nearly 7 million of its customers—representing around 35% of the island—have been without power since early Friday. Flooding, uprooted trees and landslides have severely hampered restoration work, leaving many areas in darkness for more than 24 hours.
The Meteorology Department has forecast further rainfall exceeding 200 mm in several regions, even as Cyclone Ditwah is expected to move away from the island by late Saturday. Emergency teams are racing against time to restore basic services, reach stranded families and prevent further casualties.
India’s timely support welcomed
Sri Lankan officials expressed deep gratitude for India’s rapid response and the scale of assistance mobilised within hours of the crisis. Additional consignments under Operation Sagar Bandhu are expected to follow, depending on the evolving ground situation.
India’s support comes as part of its broader policy of neighbourhood-first and its continued role as a first responder in the Indian Ocean Region during natural disasters.
Conclusion
As Sri Lanka battles widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, international relief—led by India’s swift deployment—has become critical for rescue and recovery efforts. With rains persisting and casualty figures likely to rise, the coming days remain crucial for the island nation’s response to one of its worst natural disasters in recent memory.