India’s Operation Sagar Bandhu continues to bolster Sri Lanka’s struggle against the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The Disaster Management Centre reports 465 deaths, 366 missing, and over 1.55 million people affected across all 25 districts, with Kandy suffering the highest toll.
In the central province, Indian Air Force helicopter IFC 1875 delivered 2,000 kg of relief to Mandaram Nuwara and evacuated 17 people, including a heart patient, from Irunguwatta. Another sortie airlifted 24 passengers, a pregnant woman, five children, and foreign nationals from Kotmale to Colombo, while IFC 1885 transported 2,000 kg of aid and 19 troops to Poramadulla.
A major medical boost arrived with an Indian C-17 aircraft carrying a field hospital and over 70 medical personnel, to be deployed in Mahiyanganaya, where the base hospital was badly damaged.
High Commissioner of India Santosh Jha reviewed NDRF operations at Sedawatta near Colombo, where teams are conducting door-to-door evacuations in areas submerged under 6-10 feet of water. NDRF teams rescued 43 people yesterday, with efforts continuing to reach those most at risk.
