India intensified humanitarian assistance and disaster response under Operation Sagar Bandhu on Saturday (November 29, 2025) for Sri Lanka as the island nation continued to deal with the aftermath of devastating Cyclone Ditwah which has left at least 159 persons dead. India has deployed INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri to assist the affected families 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, said official sources. High Commission of India in Colombo is helping stranded Indian passengers at Bandaranaike International Airport after flights were cancelled. They are being provided food, water and other assistance by Commission’s officials.
Two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising 80 rescuers and four trained canines, led byP. 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.
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