The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have carried out extensive rescue and relief operations across several parts of Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday said that the deep depression, the remnant of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, currently centred over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining north Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coasts, has moved northwards at a speed of 10 kmph in the past six hours.
The last batch of stranded passengers at the Bandarnaike International Airport in Colombo have arrived back home, as shared by the High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka.
In a post on X, the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka said the stranded passengers were seen off by Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha before boarding an Indian Air Force aircraft to Thiruvananthapuram.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that under Operation Sagar Bandhu, another Indian Air Force aircraft landed in Colombo carrying disaster response supplies.
Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said that Indian aircraft have evacuated stranded people in Sri Lanka, including citizens from Germany, South Africa, Slovenia and United Kingdom.
The Indian Air Force on Sunday said that under Operation Sagar Bandhu, IAF C-17 airlifted NDRF teams and equipment from Pune. The ongoing operation has tapped into domestic support operations.
Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangaswamy on Sunday visited Uppalam Harbour Beach to review the situation on the ground following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah.