Operation Sagar Bandhu: IAF C-130J lands in Colombo as India amps up rescue and relief operations

Colombo [Sri Lanka], November 30 (ANI): The Indian Air Force's C-130J military transport aircraft landed in Colombo at 10 AM carrying relief supplies as India stepped up humanitarian operations in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
The aircraft is also expected to evacuate stranded Indian citizens.
Earlier on Sunday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar highlighted the close coordination between NDRF personnel and Sri Lankan authorities in ongoing relief operations in the island nation.
In a post on X on Sunday, EAM Jaishankar said, "@NDRFHQ personnel, in close coordination with local authorities, continue to undertake relief operations in Sri Lanka. #OperationSagarBandhu"

.@NDRFHQ personnel, in close coordination with local authorities, continue to undertake relief operations in Sri Lanka.#OperationSagarBandhu

🇮🇳 🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/7Ywwa9g236

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 30, 2025

The Sri Lankan Air Force also shared updates on NDRF's ongoing rescue efforts in a post on X.

Indian NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) Troops in action for Flood Rescue and Relief in Sri Lanka#NDRF #indiaforsrilanka #DisasterRelief #FloodRescue #humanitarianaid #RescueMission #SriLankaFloods #savinglives #emergencyresponse #StrongerTogether #ndrfinaction pic.twitter.com/QOzHu5qQqT

— Sri Lanka Air Force (@airforcelk) November 29, 2025

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka shared that NDRF personnel have been actively conducting rescue operations in inaccessible areas affected by flooding, bringing stranded people to safety.

#OperationSagarBandhu saving lives.

🇮🇳 National Disaster Response Force @NDRFHQ personnel who arrived in 🇱🇰 earlier today, are actively conducting rescue operations in inaccessible areas affected by flooding, bringing stranded people to safety. Evacuations to continue overnight… pic.twitter.com/GBzsrek9YX

— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) November 29, 2025

#OperationSagarBandhu @NDRFHQ @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/nbrddxZnIX

— India in Sri Lanka (@IndiainSL) November 29, 2025

In a post on X on Sunday, the Indian Air Force has positioned Mi-17 V5 helicopters in Colombo for swift Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations as part of India's ongoing relief support in Sri Lanka.

#OperationSagarBandhu | IAF Humanitarian Assistance

As part of India’s ongoing relief efforts in Sri Lanka, the Indian Air Force has positioned Mi-17 V5 helicopters in Colombo for swift HADR operations.

IAF transport aircraft are earmarked for large-scale evacuation of Indian… pic.twitter.com/eoSRn6O9pZ

— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 30, 2025

Operation Sagar Bandhu, which mobilised aid and assistance for the island nation, along with the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy and 80 NDRF personnel working round the clock in safeguarding lives and extending timely assistance.
So far, India has airlifted 27 tonnes of relief material to Colombo.
Military transport helicopter C-130 and the multipurpose Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft from Hindan Air Base on Friday night, which airlifted 21 tonnes of relief material along with over 80 NDRF personnel and 8 tonnes of equipment to Colombo.
EAM shared that relief material was also handed over to Colombo from INS Vikrant and INS Udaygiri, along with two Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant, taking off for Search and Rescue Operations with Sri Lankan Air Force personnel onboard.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the people of Sri Lanka who have lost their loved ones due to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. He prayed for the safety, comfort, and swift recovery of all affected families.
In a strong gesture of solidarity with India's closest maritime neighbour, the Government of India has urgently dispatched relief materials and vital Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) support under Operation Sagar Bandhu. India stands ready to provide additional aid and assistance as the situation evolves.
Guided by the principles of India's Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed that India will continue to stand firmly with Sri Lanka in its hour of need.
Ten years after India's SAGAR vision, which was the guiding force behind India's active regional role, aiming to bring stability and inclusive growth across the Indo-Pacific, PM Modi in March 2025 announced the Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions--MAHASAGAR--doctrine during his visit to Mauritius, which expands on SAGAR's goals.
Based on India's Neighbourhood First policy and the MAHASAGAR outlook, the country continues to act as a first responder in crises and a net security provider in the region.
MAHASAGAR marks a strategic evolution from a regional focus on the Indian Ocean to a global maritime vision, with particular emphasis on the global south.
Daily Mirror Online reported that two Indian Navy helicopters rescued eight people trapped by floodwaters in Pannala, and citing officials mentioned that four Indian helicopters are currently involved in rescue missions across the country and are working together with the Sri Lanka Air Force, Navy, Army, Police, and other first responders to carry out evacuations, delivering emergency supplies, and assisting communities affected by flooding across the island.
India is additionally supporting stranded passengers at Bandaranaike International Airport, where severe weather has disrupted air traffic. The Indian High Commission in Colombo is providing affected Indian travellers with food, water and assistance.
Citing the Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre (DMC), Daily Mirror Online reported that as of Saturday evening, the death toll rose to 153, with 191 people still missing in the wake of cyclone Ditwah.
The extreme weather system has destroyed nearly 15,000 homes across the country, sending almost 44,000 people to state-run temporary shelters, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said on Saturday.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Saturday issued an extraordinary gazette notification declaring a state of public emergency in Sri Lanka.
The gazette notification has been issued in the wake of the widespread destruction left by Cyclone Ditwah. (ANI)