India Launches Operation Sagar Bandhu: Delivering Critical Relief to Flood-Devastated Sri Lanka

India initiated 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' on Friday to provide assistance to Sri Lanka during its severe crisis.

A C130 aircraft from the Indian Air Force carrying emergency relief supplies for flood victims arrived at Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport early Saturday, around 1:30 am. Officials from the Indian High Commission and Sri Lanka Air Force were present to receive the shipment.

The initial batch of relief materials had already been delivered through the Indian Navy's aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and frontline vessel INS Udaigiri as part of 'Operation Sagar Bandhu,' launched by India to support Sri Lanka during this challenging time.

This assistance comes as Sri Lankan authorities issued warnings about an "unprecedented disaster situation" in the Western Province, with water levels rising dangerously in the Kelani and Attanagalu rivers from Friday night onward.

Sri Lanka is currently experiencing one of its worst natural disasters, with cyclonic storm Ditwah causing devastating floods and landslides that have resulted in extensive destruction and infrastructure damage throughout the country.

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 69 deaths were confirmed as of Saturday morning, with at least 34 people still missing. The disaster has affected more than 200,000 individuals from approximately 61,000 families.

Relief officials in the Central Province's Kandy district suggested the actual death toll might be significantly higher, with reports indicating more than 50 deaths in that district alone by late Friday night, though these figures remain officially unverified.

The Badulla district in the central highlands has also been severely affected by landslides, with over 35 reported deaths and numerous people still missing.

Cyclone Ditwah has caused flooding in all major reservoirs and rivers, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders to residents in affected areas.

The weather bureau has forecast additional rainfall exceeding 200 mm, although Ditwah is expected to move away from the island by late Saturday.

Nearly 35 percent of Sri Lanka has been without electricity since early Friday, affecting approximately 7 million customers of the Ceylon Electricity Board. Restoration efforts have been significantly hampered by continuous rainfall and flooding conditions.