Operation Sagar Bandhu Delivers Lifesaving Aid to Sri Lanka Amid Cyclone Ditwah Devastation

India has launched a swift and robust humanitarian response to aid Sri Lanka devastated by Cyclone Ditwah, demonstrating its unwavering commitment as a reliable neighborhood partner. Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, a C-130J aircraft delivered approximately 12 tonnes of essential relief supplies to Colombo on November 29, 2025, including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat meals. This marked the second major airlift in two days, following initial consignments via INS Vikrant and INS Udaigiri totaling 4.5 tons of dry rations and 2 tons of fresh food on November 28. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced the aid on social media, underscoring India's rapid coordination.​

Cyclone Ditwah made landfall on Sri Lanka's eastern coast early on November 28, unleashing torrential rains exceeding 300 mm in provinces like Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, and Trincomalee, triggering deadly landslides and widespread flooding. The Disaster Management Centre reports a death toll surpassing 80, with at least 34 people missing, 14 injured, and over 219,000 individuals from 44,000 families affected across multiple districts. More than 600 homes destroyed, 148,000 people displaced, and 5,000 families sheltered in 195 emergency centers highlight the scale of destruction. Rivers like Kelani and Attanagalu overflowed, halting rail operations, closing government offices, and causing power outages affecting 25-30% of regions, including shutdowns at major hydropower plants Kotmale and Rantambe.​

The cyclone's fury was most acute in central highlands, where landslides claimed 19 lives in

Badulla alone since Wednesday, with 21 others unaccounted for in Kandy District's Gangoda village. Sri Lanka's meteorological department issued red alerts for the entire island, warning of winds up to 90 km/h and further heavy rains as Ditwah moved north-northwest. This marks the island nation's deadliest disaster since 2017 floods and landslides killed over 200. Schools closed, the Colombo Stock Exchange halted early, and rescue efforts relocated 43,991 people to shelters, including families rescued from rooftops amid ongoing downpours.​

India's aid operation exemplifies its "Neighbourhood First" policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, with INS Vikrant's helicopters deployed at Colombo's request for rescue in flood-hit areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences, stating, "India stands in solidarity with our closest maritime neighbour and remains committed to extending all possible assistance." This rapid response builds on previous support during Sri Lanka's 2021 economic and natural crises, reinforcing bilateral ties strained by past political tensions.​​

As Ditwah edges toward India's Tamil Nadu-Puducherry-Andhra Pradesh coast with sustained winds of 65-90 km/h, New Delhi balances outbound aid with domestic preparations. The IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rains over Kerala, south interior Karnataka, and Telangana through November 30, prompting alerts for localized flooding, waterlogging, and traffic disruptions. Southern Railway canceled services, while Tamil Nadu mobilizes resources anticipating dual landfalls first Sri Lanka, then potentially Indian shores.​

Sri Lanka's plight underscores South Asia's vulnerability to intensifying cyclones amid climate change, with over 300 regional flood deaths recently. India's proactive intervention not only alleviates immediate suffering but sets a precedent for collaborative disaster resilience. The 12-tonne shipment, airlifted from Chennai, includes specialized kits for hygiene and shelter, directly addressing priorities identified by Colombo. Further assistance, including medical teams if requested, remains on standby.​

This episode revives memories of Operation Sagar Bandhu during 2021, when India supplied fuel, medicines, and food to crisis-hit Sri Lanka. Today, as the island grapples with economic recovery three years post-upheaval, New Delhi's generosity fosters goodwill. Cyclone Ditwah's path named by Yemen under regional conventions, highlights shared oceanic threats in the Bay of Bengal, urging enhanced forecasting and joint mitigation strategies.​

India's timely aid transcends logistics; it embodies Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the world is one family. As Sri Lankans rebuild amid receding waters, this gesture strengthens people-to-people bonds, proving that in times of calamity, neighbors become lifelines. With Ditwah's remnants threatening India, mutual vigilance will define regional solidarity moving forward.