India Launches ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’, Rushes Emergency Aid to Sri Lanka as Cyclone Ditwah Claims Over 80 Lives

Sri Lanka is reeling from one of its worst natural disasters in recent years after Cyclonic Storm Ditwah swept across the island, unleashing widespread floods and landslides that have caused catastrophic destruction. At least 80 people have been confirmed dead so far, with the toll expected to rise. The country was battered by relentless rainfall last week, with Thursday’s intense downpour submerging homes, farmlands, and highways.

According to officials, over 600 homes have suffered significant damage. The Sri Lankan Meteorological Department warned that rainfall exceeding 200 mm was still likely in several regions, although Cyclone Ditwah was expected to drift away from the island by late Saturday.

India Activates “Operation Sagar Bandhu” to Assist Sri Lanka

In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, India launched “Operation Sagar Bandhu” on Friday, delivering urgent relief supplies via naval and air assets. The first batches of aid were transported by the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and the front-line warship INS Udaigiri, both carrying essential items and emergency equipment.

Additionally, an Indian Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft landed at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport around 1:30 am carrying critical supplies, including food essentials, sanitary materials, tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat meals. Officials from the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Indian High Commission received the shipment.

As water levels surged dangerously in the Kelani and Attanagalu river basins, Sri Lankan authorities warned of an “unprecedented disaster situation” in the Western Province on Friday night.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the mission’s progress on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “#OperationSagarBandhu unfolds. A @IAF_MCC C-130J carrying approximately 12 tons of humanitarian aid lands in Colombo with tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items.”

#OperationSagarBandhu unfolds. @IAF_MCC C-130 J plane carrying approx 12 tons of humanitarian aid including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, and ready-to-eat food items lands in Colombo.

🇮🇳 🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/btzlnZeO8x

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) November 29, 2025

By early Saturday morning, Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Center (DMC) reported 69 confirmed deaths and at least 34 people missing. More than 200,000 individuals across 61,000 families have been affected.

Rescue teams in Kandy warned that the actual death toll could be significantly higher. They noted that fatalities in the region had surpassed 50 by Friday night, though official confirmation was pending. In the central highlands of Badulla, landslides killed over 35 people, with several others unaccounted for.

Widespread power outages have worsened the crisis, with nearly 35% of the island remaining without electricity since Friday morning. The disruption has impacted over seven million Ceylon Electricity Board customers.

Continuous rainfall and waterlogging have made repair and restoration efforts extremely challenging. Authorities have also suspended operations at all government offices and schools on Friday, citing the rapidly deteriorating situation.

Cyclone Ditwah: Impact and Updated Forecast

Meanwhile, India’s coastal regions—including Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Andhra Pradesh—have been placed on high alert as Cyclone Ditwah continues to move northwest. Several districts are under Red and Orange alerts due to forecasts of heavy rainfall, intense winds, and potential flash floods.

The cyclone is expected to make landfall along the Indian coastline on Sunday, November 30. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the storm travelled across Sri Lanka and the adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal at a speed of 7 kmph on Friday night.

The IMD stated: “Cyclonic storm Ditwah is likely to continue moving north-northwestward across coastal Sri Lanka and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal. It is expected to reach near the coasts of North Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh by early morning of November 30.”