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 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.
Devastating floods have torn through parts of Colombo as Sri Lanka struggles with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, with the death toll rising to 193 and another 228 people still missing, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
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.
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh and all-rounder Deepak Chahar on Saturday unveiled 8JJ Sports, a Sri Lanka-based global sports media and fan-engagement platform, making its international debut with India as the first launch market.