Indian Air Force Evacuates Over 300 Indians From Cyclone-Hit Sri Lanka in Major Rescue Operation

Thiruvananthapuram:

The Indian Air Force successfully evacuated more than 300 Indian nationals who were stranded in Sri Lanka as a result of Cyclone Ditwah, transporting them safely to Thiruvananthapuram airport.

An IAF aircraft operating from Colombo to Thiruvananthapuram arrived by 7:30 pm on Sunday, according to a Defence spokesman.

The Defence spokesperson stated that IAF's IL-76 and C-130J heavy lift carriers, which had previously delivered rescue materials and NDRF teams to Sri Lanka, were utilized for evacuating the stranded passengers.

As part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, the IAF continues to provide critical Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) support to Sri Lanka's population following the severe humanitarian crisis caused by recent natural disasters in the region, according to an official press release.

During multiple missions, IAF helicopters airlifted 57 Sri Lankan Army personnel from Diyathalawa Army Camp and Colombo to Kotmale.

Kotmale is located in a landslide-affected area in Sri Lanka's central province, currently completely isolated due to road damage.

The IAF conducted a hybrid mission where Garud Commandos were deployed near stranded civilians and guided them to pre-identified landing sites, where helicopter crews subsequently picked them up, explained the spokesperson.

"A total of 55 civilians, including Indians, foreign nationals, and Sri Lankan survivors, were successfully evacuated to Colombo. The two Indian helicopters, operating around the clock, have completed more than 12 sorties for rescue operations thus far," the release further stated.