Colombo/New Delhi, Dec 1 (NationPress) In a show of solidarity with the Government and citizens of Sri Lanka amidst the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, India has successfully delivered 53 tonnes of relief supplies and repatriated over 2,000 stranded Indians from the island.

India initiated ‘Operation Sagar Bandhu’ on November 28 to urgently provide search, rescue, and humanitarian assistance to its closest maritime neighbor following the severe impacts of Cyclone Ditwah, which has led to extensive flooding, loss of lives, and major disruptions across Sri Lanka.

Details provided by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday highlighted that, in collaboration with Lankan authorities, the Indian government promptly dispatched 9.5 tonnes of emergency food supplies via two Indian Navy ships stationed in Colombo. Additionally, three Indian Air Force aircraft were deployed to airlift another 31.5 tonnes of aid—including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, ready-to-eat meals, medications, and surgical tools—alongside two BHISHM cubes and a medical team of five for on-site training. A special team of 80 Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was also sent to assist in rescue operations.

Furthermore, another 12 tonnes of aid was sent on the Indian Navy Ship (INS) Sukanya, bringing the total relief material delivered to 53 tonnes as of Monday evening.

Cooperation with the Sri Lankan Air Force allowed Chetak helicopters from INS Vikrant and MI-17 helicopters from the Indian Air Force to conduct extensive rescue operations, evacuating stranded individuals, including pregnant women, infants, and critically injured people. The rescued individuals included nationals from various countries such as Sri Lanka, India, Germany, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Poland, Belarus, Iran, Australia, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

The NDRF teams are actively performing search-and-rescue tasks in numerous severely affected and isolated areas of Sri Lanka, aiding families impacted by the floods and ensuring their immediate safety. So far, over 150 individuals have been rescued and assisted in these ongoing operations, as noted in a statement from the MEA.

Meanwhile, the evacuation of Indian nationals stranded due to Cyclone Ditwah has been facilitated through special Indian Air Force flights and commercial airlines, successfully bringing back over 2,000 stranded Indians.

Emphasizing India's commitment to its Neighbourhood First policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, the MEA reiterated that India stands as the First Responder, unwavering in its support to the Government and people of Sri Lanka during this crisis, and is dedicated to aiding ongoing rescue, relief, and recovery efforts.

As MI-17 helicopters continued their rescue operations, bringing stranded persons from hard-to-reach areas and delivering essential supplies to communities affected by the cyclone, INS Sukanya also arrived in Trincomalee with additional relief materials, further enhancing the support.

The Indian Air Force's 1875 helicopter successfully evacuated 57 stranded individuals, including 10 children, from Irunguwatta to Matale while also delivering 2.5 tonnes of rations to Keagalle on Monday.

According to the Indian High Commission in Colombo, more critical relief supplies are set to arrive in Trincomalee later today.

Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, INS Sukanya has delivered an additional 12 tonnes of vital relief supplies to Trincomalee, assisting ongoing rescue and relief initiatives. This material was handed over to local authorities for prompt distribution.

Additionally, Indian rescue teams are collaborating with the Sri Lankan air force, navy, army, police, and local first responders to support communities affected by the floods. Efforts for evacuations, supply deliveries, and emergency assistance are actively underway across the island.

An IAF C-130J aircraft, which landed in Sri Lanka late Sunday, carried over four tonnes of BHISHM Modular Trauma Cubes, which are compact, durable mobile medical units equipped with diagnostic tools and surgical kits, designed for rapid deployment in disaster zones, as shared by the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka via social media.

Moreover, Mi-17 helicopters of the IAF have evacuated 34 citizens, including children, from Kotmale to Colombo while distributing medical supplies and food.

The death toll from the ongoing adverse weather conditions has increased to 355, with 366 individuals still reported missing, according to local media citing the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

The DMC has reported that 1,118,323 people from 309,607 families have been affected as persistent heavy rains, floods, and landslides continue to disrupt several regions of Sri Lanka.

Communication difficulties have further complicated rescue and coordination efforts in the hardest-hit areas.

To address this, Sri Lanka's telecommunications operators have agreed to prioritize emergency calls to alleviate network congestion and improve response capabilities.