The Indian military has assisted in relief efforts across Sri Lanka, with rescue operations and aid delivery conducted in flood-stricken regions, in what has been called Operation Sagar Bandhu.
The Hindu reports that India has deployed INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri and sent two large cargo aircraft carrying 21 tonnes of relief materials to Colombo. In addition to the two ships, INS Sukanya left Vishakhapatnam with relief material and is expected to reach Sri Lanka soon.
Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 80 rescuers and four trained canines, led by P. K. Tiwary, Commandant, 8th Battalion, flew out from the Hindon Air Force Station early on Saturday on an Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft bound for Colombo. These teams are equipped with inflatable boats, hydraulic cutting and breaching tools, advanced communication gear, first-aid kits, and other essential rescue equipment to conduct search, rescue and humanitarian relief operations in affected areas of Sri Lanka. Indian Navy helicopters rescued several persons from flood-affected areas on Saturday, said the official spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry.
Randhir Jaisawal, Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs tweeted about the impact of the relief efforts, noting that 150 persons have been rescued in operations conducted by them.
The Sri Lankan government has declared a state of emergency as the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah continues to devastate the island, raising the death toll to 355 with a further 366 individuals reported missing.
Press release on #OperationSagarBandhu
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) December 1, 2025
đź”— https://t.co/058pfhjmSG pic.twitter.com/tsBISn7DSa
#OperationSagarBandhu
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 30, 2025
Another @IAF_MCC C130J carrying approx 10 tons of disaster response supplies, BHISHM Cubes and a medical team for on-site training & support has landed in Colombo.
🇮🇳 🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/eycnW2dA6d
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) December 1, 2025
