New Delhi: Sri Lanka is grappling with one of its most severe natural disasters in recent decades after Cyclone Ditwah unleashed torrential rain, widespread flooding and deadly landslides across multiple districts. The scale of destruction has left more than 400 people dead or missing, overwhelming local response capacities and triggering urgent appeals for support.
Amid this crisis, India has emerged as a major source of assistance through Operation Sagar Bandhu, deploying personnel from the National Disaster Response Force and the Air Force to aid search, rescue and relief missions. Indian naval ships already stationed in Sri Lanka have been mobilised to deliver emergency supplies, joining air and ground operations aimed at reaching stranded communities.
The support has been widely acknowledged by Sri Lankan citizens, with a message from a Colombo resident gaining significant attention online. The post expressed heartfelt appreciation for India’s rapid response, praising the efforts of Indian soldiers involved in rescue missions across cyclone-hit regions.
Cyclone Ditwah made landfall on November 28 before returning over the Bay of Bengal, but not before causing extensive damage in Gampaha, Colombo, Puttalam and Mannar. Trincomalee and Batticaloa also faced severe flooding, while Kandy, Badulla and Matale were devastated by landslides that swept through residential areas and cut off key transport routes.
As images and updates circulated online, many social media users echoed similar sentiments of solidarity, emphasising longstanding ties between the two nations and welcoming the relief operations. Messages of hope and support for affected families continued to pour in as weather conditions slowly began to stabilise.
Operation Sagar Bandhu remains central to India’s ongoing humanitarian outreach in the region. The first relief consignment, assembled from the supplies of INS Vikrant and INS Udayagiri, included several tonnes of dry and fresh rations. Additional aid arrived on November 29 when an Indian Air Force aircraft transported nearly 12 tonnes of tents, blankets, hygiene kits and ready-to-eat food to Colombo.
As recovery efforts continue, the collaborative response has strengthened goodwill between the neighbouring countries, offering critical support at a time when Sri Lanka faces immense humanitarian challenges.
