India's Swift Response: Emergency Aid and Rescue Operations for Sri Lankan Cyclone Ditwah Victims

The Indian High Commission in Colombo established an emergency help desk at Bandaranaike International Airport on Saturday to aid Indian nationals stranded due to Cyclone Ditwah, which has severely disrupted air traffic throughout the region.

The cyclone has caused devastating damage across Sri Lanka, destroying approximately 15,000 homes and displacing nearly 44,000 people to government shelters.

Through their official social media account, the High Commission of India in Colombo announced, "IndiainSL is assisting stranded Indian passengers at Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo. In the wake of severe air traffic disruptions, Indian passengers facing difficulties are being provided food, water and other assistance."

The situation in Sri Lanka has become increasingly dire, with authorities reporting 123 deaths and 130 people missing due to the heavy rains and flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah. This has prompted Sri Lankan officials to request international assistance.

India responded promptly by delivering over 20 tonnes of essential relief supplies on Saturday morning, along with specialized National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams. These teams have been deployed to support Sri Lankan authorities in search and rescue operations and provide immediate humanitarian aid in the affected regions.

The Indian High Commission described the effort as "Operation Sagar Bandhu standing strong with the people of Sri Lanka," noting that the relief teams were "ready to support ongoing search and rescue efforts across" the island nation.

Although Cyclone Ditwah was moving northward toward India by Saturday, Sri Lanka continued to face severe weather challenges. The central district of Kandy, located about 115km east of Colombo, experienced additional landslides, with the main access road submerged in multiple locations.

Disaster Management Centre Director-General Sampath Kotuwegoda confirmed that relief operations had been intensified with thousands of army, navy, and air force personnel deployed throughout affected areas.

Rising water levels in the Kelani River, which flows through Colombo into the Indian Ocean, forced authorities to issue evacuation orders for residents along its banks.

India has demonstrated swift humanitarian response, not only sending two aircraft with relief supplies but also repurposing provisions from an Indian warship that happened to be in Colombo on a previously scheduled goodwill visit to assist cyclone victims.